Bengaluru:– Prime Minister NarendraModi arrived in Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru on Friday.Modi who is on a hectic four-hour visit to Bengaluru flagged-off South India’s first Vande Bharat Express and ‘bharatgauravKashiDarshana’ train at KSR railway station .PM Modi later inaugurated Kempegowda International Airport’s world class “Terminal 2”, and later unveiled the 108-feet high bronze statue of Bengaluru founder NadaprabhuKempegowda.
On his arrival at HAL Airport here, Modi was received byGovernor ThaawarchandGehlot, Chief Minister BasavarajBommai,union minister Prahaladdjoshi and other cabinet colleagues. Modi first paid floral tributes to the statues of saint-poet Kanaka Dasa (on account of KanakaOn his arrival at HAL Airport here, Modi was received by Karnataka Governor Jayanti, his birth anniversary today), and MaharshiValmiki at the ‘VidhanaSoudha’ premises here.
PM Addressing huge public rally began his speech by greeting the public in Kannada.he said, on flagging off ‘5thVande Bharat Express’ is a symbol that India has now left the days of stagnation behind. “Today Karnataka got its first made-in-India Vande Bharat train It is the new identity of New India. Launch of Vande Bharat Express gives a glimpse of how Indian Railways will grow in the 21st century. Modi lauded Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru. He said, the city represents the ‘Start-up’ spirit. “Across the world, India is known for its start-ups. Karnataka is also getting benefitted from the investment happening in the country,” he said.
PM inaugurated glitzy ‘Terminal 2’ of KIASpread over a total area of 2,55,645 square metres, the T-2 in its first phase will have 22 contact gates, 15 bus gates, 95 check-in solutions and 17 security check lanes. There will be nine customs hand baggage screening. The gate lounge will have a seating capacity of 5,932. Phase 1 of T-2 has a capacity of 25 million passengers per annum. T2 is new eco-friendly terminal in which bamboo has been extensively used has been built at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore, New infrastructure facility at the KIA will cater to 2.5 crore passengers annually.It is designed as a tribute to the Garden city of Bengaluru and the passenger experience is meant to be a “walk in thegarden”. Passengers will travel through 10,000 sqmts of green walls, hanging gardens, and outdoor gardens.
The 108 feet statue of NadaprabhuKempegowda, which Prime Minister NarendraModi unveiled is the “first and tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city,” as per ‘World Book of Records’. The statue commemorates the contribution of NadaprabhuKempegowda, the founder of the city, Named as the “Statue of prosperity”. The statue is sculpted by Ram V Sutar. According to PMO, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue.
PM Modi got out of the vehicle at a major traffic junction near the KSR railway station, walked towards the crowd who gathered in full strength on all sides and waved at them. “Thank you Bengaluru for the memorable welcome to this dynamic city”, modi tweeted.
