Puducherry, September 16: A 13-member media delegation from Srinagar, visiting Puducherry as part of a media tour organised by PIB Srinagar, on Wednesday met Lieutenant Governor Shri K. Kailashnathan and discussed development, connectivity, infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, tourism and welfare issues.
Shri K. Kailashnathan is a 1979-batch retired IAS officer and has extensive administrative experience in Gujarat. He served as Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary to the Gujarat Chief Minister from 2006 to 2013 and subsequently as Chief Principal Secretary to the Gujarat Chief Minister until June 2024. The Puducherry Government says he has 45 years of experience in government service, including work related to industrial development, ports, urban development and drinking-water infrastructure.
LG recalls Modi’s development vision
During the interaction, the Lt Governor spoke briefly about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development approach, recalling that even during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi focused on connectivity, higher education, water, electricity and basic amenities.
Kailashnathan recalled Modi’s emphasis on sanitation and women’s dignity, saying the issue of toilets was viewed as more than infrastructure—it was connected with the dignity of women.
He also narrated an anecdote about Modi waiting for an express bus, linking the incident to his emphasis on speedier connectivity. The Lt Governor referred to initiatives such as Vande Bharat trains and the ongoing high-speed rail project while discussing the importance of faster transportation.
Kailashnathan said he mentioned Modi particularly because September 17 is the Prime Minister’s birthday.
Three major connectivity priorities for Puducherry
The Lt Governor said the administration is working on three major areas of infrastructure and connectivity—roads, highways and air connectivity, with projects expected to take around three to four years to complete.
He also spoke about developing a more modern railway terminal to provide passengers with a smoother travel experience.
According to the Lt Governor, improved road connectivity is also expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Puducherry to around 1.5 hours.
Focus on fishermen’s welfare
The welfare of fishermen also featured in the interaction. Kailashnathan said Puducherry has a substantial fishing community and indicated that the administration would provide pension support to fishermen.
The Puducherry Fisheries Department already lists several welfare measures for fishermen, including old-age pensions, financial assistance during fishing bans and support for fishermen families.
J&K connectivity also discussed
The Lt Governor also referred to Jammu and Kashmir, noting improvements in railway, road and air connectivity. He emphasised the importance of affordable electricity for the people and said the J&K Government should work towards providing electricity at affordable rates.
The interaction also covered employment generation, education and medical institutions, tourism, investment, renewable energy, water availability and basic infrastructure.
The meeting was part of the Srinagar media delegation’s Puducherry visit, aimed at understanding the Union Territory’s development initiatives and governance experience.
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