<p class="title">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described himself and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as the "double engine" of development for Maharashtra and sought a second term for the incumbent leader in the BJP-ruled state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Addressing an election rally here on the outskirts of Mumbai, Modi said the coastal Konkan belt was emerging as the main pillar for the economy of a "new Maharashtra" with a slew of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Navi Mumbai airport, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and metro rail.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The PM said his government was focussing on developing a blue economy in the coastal belt with preservation of marine resources and by encouraging coastal tourism.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Endorsing the leadership of Fadnavis, the first BJP chief minister of Maharashtra who is seeking a second term, the PM said he is playing a vital role in the state's growth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Both Devendra and Narendra are the double engine for the development of Maharashtra," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi said the upcoming modern infrastructure projects will provide new facilities to the fast-urbanising coastal region that is one of the big pillars of the economy of New India.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The BJP's star campaigner appealed to people to shun single-use plastic items, which he termed as a threat to marine ecology.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi said the towns of Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivali, Belapur-Airoli and Thane, all parts of the Konkan region, are emerging as the new hubs of economic activities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The prime minister described the Kharghar-Panvel belt in Raigad district as a cosmopolitan region representing a "mini India".</p>.<p class="bodytext">Touching other issues during his speech, Modi said the country's prestige has increased on the global platform over the last five years.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Maharashtra has a big contribution in the country's development. Now, in creating a New India, the state has an important role. Just like you have elected Narendra in Delhi for a second term, elect Devendra for a second term in the state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Narendra-Devendra formula is super-hit in terms of development. It is the double engine of development," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The PM's rally in Kharghar, a Navi Mumbai node which falls under Raigad district, was his third public meeting in the state on Wednesday for the October 21 assembly polls.</p>
<p class="title">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described himself and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as the "double engine" of development for Maharashtra and sought a second term for the incumbent leader in the BJP-ruled state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Addressing an election rally here on the outskirts of Mumbai, Modi said the coastal Konkan belt was emerging as the main pillar for the economy of a "new Maharashtra" with a slew of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Navi Mumbai airport, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and metro rail.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The PM said his government was focussing on developing a blue economy in the coastal belt with preservation of marine resources and by encouraging coastal tourism.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Endorsing the leadership of Fadnavis, the first BJP chief minister of Maharashtra who is seeking a second term, the PM said he is playing a vital role in the state's growth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Both Devendra and Narendra are the double engine for the development of Maharashtra," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi said the upcoming modern infrastructure projects will provide new facilities to the fast-urbanising coastal region that is one of the big pillars of the economy of New India.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The BJP's star campaigner appealed to people to shun single-use plastic items, which he termed as a threat to marine ecology.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modi said the towns of Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivali, Belapur-Airoli and Thane, all parts of the Konkan region, are emerging as the new hubs of economic activities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The prime minister described the Kharghar-Panvel belt in Raigad district as a cosmopolitan region representing a "mini India".</p>.<p class="bodytext">Touching other issues during his speech, Modi said the country's prestige has increased on the global platform over the last five years.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Maharashtra has a big contribution in the country's development. Now, in creating a New India, the state has an important role. Just like you have elected Narendra in Delhi for a second term, elect Devendra for a second term in the state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Narendra-Devendra formula is super-hit in terms of development. It is the double engine of development," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The PM's rally in Kharghar, a Navi Mumbai node which falls under Raigad district, was his third public meeting in the state on Wednesday for the October 21 assembly polls.</p>