- Saturday, November 23, 2024
Modi, who virtually inaugurated the projects from New Delhi, said the event was symbolic of New India’s work ethic.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN a major dedication to the nation ahead of the general elections, prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (26) inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of more than 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth around Rs 41,000 crore (£3.9 billion). He called it a symbol of the work culture of ‘New India’.
The prime minister, who virtually inaugurated the projects from New Delhi, said, “Today’s programme is symbolic of New India’s work ethic. Now, India works with an unprecedented speed at an unprecedented scale. Parting ways with small aspirations, today’s India has moved on to dreaming big and realising those dreams at the earliest.”
Stressing that confidence was returning for the third term of his government, Modi said, “Today, the foundation stone for more than two thousand projects related to railways has been laid and inaugurated. Right now, the third term of this government is going to start in June. The scale and speed with which work has started is surprising everyone.”
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He laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 553 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
According to a government release, these stations, spread across 27 states and Union Territories (UTs) of the country, will be redeveloped at a cost of over Rs 19,000 crore (£1.8 billion).
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Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also spoke on the occasion, thanked Modi for the projects and vowed to transform the industry.
The prime minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 1,500 road bridges and underpasses. These are spread across 24 states and UTs and the total cost of these projects is around Rs 21,520 crore. These projects are aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing safety and connectivity, and improving the capacity and efficiency of rail travel.
The prime minister said people have seen a new India being built in the last decade, underlining the transformation in sectors such as the railways, including the launch of the semi high-speed Vande Bharat trains, an emphasis on cleanliness and electrification of tracks.
Modi also took a swipe at previous governments, saying his government stopped the looting of public money and every penny earned was being used in expanding services in the railway sector.
He said the Indian Railways used to be a victim of politics but now, the situation has changed and it is the main basis of easy travelling and has become a major source of employment.
Modi also told India’s youngsters that their dreams were his resolve.
“Your dreams and hard work and my resolve are a guarantee of Viksit Bharat (developed India),” he said.
The programme was attended by several governors and chief ministers, besides federal and state lawmakers across the country.
(With agency inputs)
