Modi launches projects worth Rs.1000 crore;chopper service between Daman & Diu, flight service to Ahmedabad

By Sanjeeb KumarnnNEW DELHI: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has launched various development projects worth Rs.1000 crore in Daman & Diu today.nnHe distributed certificates to beneficiaries of programs and addressed a public meeting at the Daman college ground.nnThe Prime Minister described the public meeting in Daman as a historic event not only in terms of the number of people who have joined him but also in terms of the development projects being launched from there.nnHe urged the people of Daman to continue giving topmost importance to cleanliness as the opportunities in tourism increase when there is cleanliness.nnHe also said that the Daman administration has decided to abolish VAT on the fishermen community. This will enable the fishermen to earn full profits.”nnModi encouraged the fishermen gathering to subordinate themselves with the chromatic revolution drive of the polity by spending in state-of-the-art vessels to go heavy into the sea and get the full capture of fish.nnHe congratulated the people and local administration for making Daman Open Defecation Free. He said that the manner in which Daman has taken to cleanliness as a mass movement using e-rickshaws and CNG is a shining example for all of us.nnLauding the inclusive culture of Daman, Modi said that Daman has become a mini-India and people from all over the country live and work here.nnThe Prime Minister said that the Government is taking several steps for the welfare of fishermen and his entire emphasis is on the ‘blue revolution’ inspired by the commitment to bring a positive difference in the lives of fishermen.nnCheap Flights to boost tourism and connectivity between Diu and India nnTourist attractions in Daman & Diu are comprised of picturesque sun-bathed beaches, colonial forts and renowned churches. Besides this, there is a rich heritage and culture of Daman & Diu which offers very lively festive days and bustling nightlife, another tourist attraction in Daman & Diu.nnThe Prime Minister inaugurated Air Odisha’s flight connecting Ahmedabad with Diu under the UDAN scheme. He flagged off Pawan Hans helicopter services from Daman to Diu through a video link.nnUnder the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, nearly 50 per cent of the seats on every flight will cost Rs 2,500 per seat. This will be applicable for flights where the distance is less than 500 km and duration is one-hour.nnThe Udan scheme offers subsidy to airlines on these routes, route monopoly for three years and a host of other concessions at landing airports.nnThe chopper service is expected to close in the 16-hour distance by road between the two Union Territories to an hour by flight.nnBhubaneswar-based Air Odisha had bagged 50 routes under the subsidised regional connectivity scheme last March. The airline had acquired a 19-seater Beechcraft B-1900D plane, and two more will join the fleet by the month-end.nnSignificantly, Air Odisha, promoted by the Radhakant Pani family of Odisha, has offloaded 60% stake to the Ahmedabad-based firms GSEC Aviation and Monarch Network.nnGSEC Aviation and Monarch Networth have made ?strategic investment? in both Air Deccan and Air Odisha.nnAs per the schedule, it will begin services from New Delhi, Bhubaneswar and Chennai to various underserved and unserved airports in Odisha, Gujarat, UP, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra and Puducherry.nnAir Odisha has already forged a strategic partnership with Air Deccan, which bagged 34 routes, under which the two will share each other’s network and resources to cut cost.nnCollectively, the two airlines plan to operate 108 flights daily connecting 67 airports over the next few months, with a combined fleet of 12 Beechcraft B-1900Ds.nnBeside Air Odisha, Air Deccan plans to launch services from Kolkata to Jamshedpur, Coochbihar, Rourkela, Durgapur and Bagdogra on February 28 followed by flights to Shillong, Dimapur, Aizawal and Silchar from Kolkata.nnTourist attractions in DiunnThe people visiting Daman from South Gujarat and Maharashtra will be able to fly to Diu, Gir and Somnath in the helicopter. Along with tourism the religious tourism will also get a major boost “nnVarious tourist attractions in Diu are the Diu Fort, Fortress of Panikota, Nagoa Beach, St. Paul’s Church, Jallandhar Shrine, Gangeshwar Temple, Diu Museum, Ghoghla Beach and Gomtimata Beach.nnModi stated that Daman is among the cleanable organization arenas in India.nn”Now, it is the responsibility of the residents of Daman to maintain it. This will attract more tourists and generate more employment opportunities for Daman youths.”nnThe Prime Minister presented Badhai kit to the newly born girl child under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao yojana. He handed over certificates to women given free driving training by Daman and Diu administration and cycle to school going girls. The Prime Minister distributed permits for CNG driven vehicles.nnHe distributed certificates to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Aawas yojana Grameen and Urban, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Suraksha Yojana and Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana.nnThe Prime Minister flagged off E-Rikshaw, Pehli Savari and Ambulances.