Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a visit to Maharashtra on January 12, 2024, where he will unveil a slew of development projects totaling over Rs. 30,500 Crore. The day's agenda includes inaugurating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the longest bridge in India, and laying the foundation stone for an underground road tunnel linking Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive.

In Mumbai, the Prime Minister will also dedicate the 'Bharat Ratnam' and the New Enterprises & Services Tower (NEST) 01 at SEEPZ SEZ, aiming to boost the Gems and Jewellery sector. Additionally, multiple projects related to rail and drinking water will be dedicated to the nation, contributing to improved infrastructure and connectivity.

During a public program in Navi Mumbai, projects worth more than Rs. 12,700 Crore will be inaugurated, dedicated, and have foundation stones laid. The highlight includes a 9.2 km underground road tunnel that will significantly reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.

In a move to empower women in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister will launch the Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan, focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the 27th National Youth Festival will be inaugurated in Nashik with the theme 'Viksit Bharat@ 2047,' emphasizing the youth's role in the country's development journey.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, costing over Rs. 17,840 Crore, spans 21.8 km, making it the longest bridge in India. It aims to enhance connectivity to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai International Airports, reducing travel time to Pune, Goa, and South India. This infrastructure marvel will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The mega common facilitation center 'Bharat Ratnam' at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ SEZ) will house a training school for skilling the Gems and Jewellery sector workforce. Additionally, the New Enterprises & Services Tower (NEST) 01 at SEEPZ-SEZ is designed to cater to the industry's large-scale production needs.

The 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, organized from January 12 to 16, aligns with Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. With the theme 'Viksit Bharat@ 2047: युवा के लिए, युवा के द्वारा,' the festival aims to provide a platform for youth from various regions to share experiences and strengthen the foundations for a united nation, embodying the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Around 7,500 youth delegates will participate in various events promoting cultural exchange, sports, and creative expression.
In the pursuit of strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu stands as a testament to Prime Minister Modi's vision for enhancing the 'ease of mobility.' This bridge, initiated by the Prime Minister in December 2016, comes at a total cost exceeding Rs. 17,840 Crore, making it not only the longest bridge in India but also the lengthiest sea bridge in the country. The 21.8 km-long, 6-lane bridge will not only expedite travel to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport but will also significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and South India. Moreover, it will bolster connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

In the heart of Navi Mumbai, a public program will witness the inauguration, dedication, and foundation stone-laying for multiple projects collectively valued at over Rs. 12,700 Crore. Among them, a groundbreaking 9.2 km-long underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive will be laid at a cost exceeding Rs. 8,700 Crore. This infrastructure development is poised to bring about a substantial reduction in travel time between the two points.

The Surya regional bulk drinking water project, developed at a cost of over Rs. 1,975 Crore, will see the dedication of its first phase to the nation during the program. This initiative aims to provide drinking water supply to the Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra, benefiting approximately 14 lakh people. Complementing these efforts, railway projects totaling about Rs. 2,000 Crore will also be dedicated, including the 'Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line,' enhancing connectivity to Navi Mumbai.

Furthermore, the Mega Common Facilitation Centre 'Bharat Ratnam,' inaugurated at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ), will house state-of-the-art equipment, including 3D metal printing, to transform the export sector in the Gems and Jewellery trade. Simultaneously, the New Enterprises & Services Tower (NEST)-01 at SEEPZ-SEZ, designed for large-scale production, will play a pivotal role in meeting industry demands.

In a significant move towards women's empowerment, the Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan will be launched during the program. This initiative, aimed at providing skill development training and fostering entrepreneurship, aligns with efforts to converge and saturate women's development programs of both the state and central governments.

In Nashik, the 27th National Youth Festival will kick off under the theme 'Viksit Bharat@ 2047: युवा के लिए, युवा के द्वारा.' Held from January 12 to 16, the festival seeks to create a platform for around 7,500 youth delegates from across the country to share experiences, and engage in cultural performances, sports, and various creative activities, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration in building a stronger nation.