OTPC PLANT, PALATANA, December 1 (TIWN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially dedicated the Unit-II of ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd(OTPC) 726.6MW to the nation at around 2.42pm here in Palatana. With this after a long journey of 9 years Trilura virtually steps in India as the 2nd Surus state in the country after Sikkim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Agartala Airport by IAF BBJ at around 1352HRS and from there he came to Palatana by Z3040 helicopter. Soon after arriving at Palatana Helipad Prime Minister dedicated the Unit-II(363.3) of OTPCs plant at 2.42pm in presence of Governor of Tripura P B Acharya, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar , Minister of State(Independent Charge) Dharmendra Pradhan Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey ,BHEL, IL&FS CMDs and ONGC full Board of Directors .

From there PM Modi reached the venue of Public Rally. As soon as PM arrived, more than 50000 people gave him a warm welcome with cheers 'MODI! MODI!'. Just at 14.47pm Prime Minister unveiled the curtains from the inaugural stone by pressing the electronic button.

Governor of Tripura P B Acharya, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar ,Union Petroleum Minister of State(Independent Charge) Dharmendra Pradhan, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Dr Taufiq e-Ilahi Choudhury, Bangladesh Power Energy and Mineral Resources Minister(MoS)Md Nazrul Hamid, Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey, MP Sankar Prasad Datta , ONGC CMD D K Sarraf and Chief Secretary of Tripura G Kameswara Rao also came with the Prime Minister. Union Petroleum Minister(MoS) Dharmendra Pradhan gave away the welcome address. Speaking on this occasion Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Dr Taufiq e-Ilahi Choudhury said," It is, indeed , a matter of pride for the people of Bangladesh to be an part of this mega power plant of OTPC . We hope to import 100mw power from Palatana to Bangladesh soon. " 

Prime Minister inaugurating OTPC Unit II. TIWN Pic Dec 1

        Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar began his speech by thanking the people of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Govt for extending their cooperation by allowing the land to bring heavy machineries through Bangladesh soil to Palatana. CM Manik Sarkar said," People of Tripura are really grateful to the people of Bangladesh on this significantly historic moment as with out their help this gas based largest power station in Palatana can never be set up . I am remembering ONGC former CMD Late Subir Raga, who took the initiative to set up this mega power plant the biggest in the entire NE Region. " CM also said that within next four months the Manarchak plant will start producing 104mw power. 

PM Narendra Modi inaugurating OTPC Palatana Unit II. TIWN Pic Dec 1

     Manik Sarkar appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince Bangladesh so that Tripura can use both the Ashuganj and Chittagong ports. Moreover, Manik Sarkar also appealed to the PM to help so that using the natural gas available in Tripura Gas Based industries can be set up here. He said," I appeal to the Prime Minister of India to extend its effort in setting up of Urea Fertilizer Plant and a Medium Type Port Chemical Complex in Tripura. " Interestingly the same CM ,who shouts against Narendra Modi in Tripura's political rallies ,  addressed PM Modi as " Amader Pradhan Mantri(our Prime Minister)". 

PM Modi inaugurating OTPC Unit II foundation at Palatana on Dec 1, TIWN Pic Dec 1

       But the crowd erupted in joy when Narendra Modi stood up to address the huge gathering with more than 50000 people started shouting piercing the the sky ," MODI! MODI!" and realizing their sentiment Narendra Modi too began his speech in Bengali  saying," Adirniyo Maa O Bonera! Bhai O Bondhura! Namashkar! Khulumkha!" At the same time he addressed the Bangladeshi delegates as ," Bangladesher Bishisto Atithigan! Apnader sabaike ke amar antorik subhechcha janai". Right from the beginning of his speech PM Modi spoke about the future and prospects of North Eastern states. Modi said ," Perhaps I am the first Prime Minister who has got the opportunity to spend so many days in the North East. My NE visits started by flagging off the first railway from Nagaland and the journey ended with dedicating the OTPCs Unit-II to Nation. The first programme was related to speed and the last one is related with energy. For the development of any region vision is needed and now I feel it is the time to change the Look East Policy into Act East Policy. " 

      PM Modi said," This OPTC plant has opened the World Map for Tripura with the largest investment of Rs 10,000 crore in the North East . OTPC has followed all the norms of Kyoto Protocol and in this sense Tripura has shown the country that it has registered its name in Green Energy Movement " 

      PM also said that OTPC plant in Palatana is also a lesson for all the SAARC nations. This plant has shown that if the SAARC nations can extend cooperation it can help each other to development and thereby enjoy the benefits of development ,said Modi. 

      Prime Minister probably toucheed the hearts of the crowd gathered in Palatana and also the people of Bangladesh when he said," This (Palatana) is the place where the Friends of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War took shelter and got assistance from the people of Tripura. And from now again the historical bond will be revived as Bangladesh will import power from OTPCs Palatana plant . I am grateful to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hassina because it is she who took the initiative in allowing ONGC to bring the heavy machineries here.  And now I assure that if Bangladesh wants to import power from India, we will let them buy power. " 

      Interestingly Dr Taufiq e-Illahi , who is the Advisor to the Prime Minister of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, was at the refugee camp at Palatana in 1971 and he too was emotional in saying ," I came here in Palatana again after 45 years ." 

      Prime Minister stresses that Tripura along with other parts of the North East is abundant in natural resources with plenty of probability in tourism sector. He said," My Govt has decided to spend Rs 28000 crore only for the development of railway in the north east. If 21st Century is the age of development, then Tripura is the gateway of the entire South East Asia in sphere of development." 

     PM urges for quadrennial revolution in the north eastern region . These are Green Revolution( in Agriculture), White Revolution ( in Milk Production), Saffron Revolution ( Revolution of Power) and Water Resources Revolution. He said ," When I mention the word saffron many have started raising their eyebrows thinking it on political agenda. But our tri-coloured national flag has saffron which symbolizes energy and power." 

Massive crowd at Palatana Unit II inaugurationon Monday. TIWN Pic Dec 1

       Even when Narendra Modi was leaving the stage people were shouting 'MODI MODI' in chorus. Indeed, after  late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , Narendra is the second to touch the hearts of the people . At the same time it has also given a warning signal for all political parties too. A CPI(M) leader present on this occasion told this correspondent ," I am extremely worried to hear Narendra Modi.It is only a time when he will be a factor in Tripura politics too ." 

OTPC Palatana Unit II foundation stone after inauguration by PM Modi. TIWN Pic Dec 1