From dedicated freight corridor to manufacturing, solar and AI, narrated the story of development

Vadodara, Gujarat : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development works worth approximately Rs 35,200 crore in Vadodara, Gujarat today, Tuesday, September 8. In the ‘Namo for Developed India’ program, the Prime Minister interacted with more than 6000 Gen-Z youth and spoke on issues like the role of youth in building a developed India, manufacturing, railways, solar energy, skill development and artificial intelligence.

Addressing the program, PM Modi said, “I especially welcome the youth of Vadodara. Today I have come among you to accelerate the journey of a developed India.” He congratulated the people of the country for the inauguration and foundation stone laying of projects worth thousands of crores of rupees for the development of the country.

He also thanked the people of Vadodara for the cleanliness and welcome campaign that Vadodara city had undertaken during the Vikas Parva. The Prime Minister said that he was overwhelmed by the way the people of Vadodara welcomed him.

PM Modi said that from the Red Fort, he had given a resolution of ‘Saptdhara’ for a developed India, in which Gati Shakti is also an important part. He said that easy, fast and modern connectivity is necessary for a developed India.

Describing Vadodara as the city of Gati Shakti University, he said that today an important link of the dedicated freight corridor has been completed. According to him, the work of more than 2,800 km of dedicated freight corridors in the country has been completed. He termed this project as a historic achievement for 21st century India.

Attacking the previous government on the dedicated freight corridor, PM Modi said that the idea of ​​this project came in the year 2004 and a special company was formed in 2006 for its implementation. However, till 2014, the files kept moving from one table to another.

He sarcastically said that even the files did not get a ‘dedicated corridor’ to reach their destination.

PM Modi said that in 2014, after the people of Vadodara and Gujarat sent him from Gujarat to Delhi, he started working in Delhi, taking with him the lessons he learned from here. According to him, earlier not even a single kilometer of the freight corridor was completed in 7-8 years, but after 2014, the project was given a fast pace and today more than 2,800 km of work has been completed.

The Prime Minister said that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are now becoming the backbone of the country’s trade and commerce. About 430 freight trains are running on both the corridors every day and these trains are covering long distances in less time than before.

Due to the freight corridor, farmers’ produce is reaching big markets faster, due to which farmers are also benefiting a lot, PM Modi said.

PM Modi had recently mentioned running a double container freight train from JNPT to Vadodara. He said that about 250 trucks of goods can be transported in one such freight train. Such a fast and large-capacity freight transport system is giving a new direction to the logistics sector of the country.

He jokingly said that some truckers will be upset by this change and will also complain about the loss.

The Prime Minister said that the people of areas including Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur will also benefit from the start of the new rail service. Strengthening railway connectivity will boost both the movement of people and trade and commerce.

PM Modi also emphasized the importance of manufacturing in his ‘Sapta Dhara’ resolution for a developed India. He said that Vadodara has known the manufacturing sector for a century and a half and in the last two and a half decades, the city has developed as an MSME hub.

He congratulated the people of Vadodara for the fact that Vadodara is now also becoming known for the production of the country’s first military aircraft.

The Prime Minister said that in the last decade, India has become a major center for the production of railway and metro coaches. Since 2014, 50 thousand modern railway coaches have been produced in the country.

Apart from this, he said that about two and a half lakh wagons have also been added to the railways. In this context, he attacked the previous government and said that the old government could not even build 50 thousand toilets.

PM Modi, referring to India’s growing manufacturing sector, said that the country is now writing a new story of development ‘from chip to ship’. Local production is being promoted in various sectors of India and the country is moving towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.

Regarding solar energy, PM Modi said that so far 55 lakh families in the country have installed solar panels on the roofs of their houses, while in Gujarat alone about 11 lakh families have adopted solar panels.

He said that in the coming times, every sector will become electricity-based and all this effort of the government is being done for the bright future of the youth of the country.

Addressing the youth, PM Modi said that in today’s time, just a degree is not enough. Along with a degree, skills are also equally important. India’s education policy is being molded in a new form.

He said that the government is also moving forward to provide free online coaching facilities to students. Especially students preparing for public sector exams can benefit from it.

PM Modi said that today’s generation is rapidly moving towards AI i.e. Artificial Intelligence. AI can be used in many fields including agriculture.

He also said that the government is moving towards a big campaign to increase the number of youth who understand AI and use it properly. He gave a message that India should play an important role at the global level by increasing its capacity in the field of AI.

Targeting the opposition, PM Modi said that “those who spread lies will be found at every crossroads, but the youth of the country walks on the roar of truth.” Expressing faith in the youth of the country, he said that the new generation has the ability to take India to new heights.

The Prime Minister once again emphasized the goal of making India a developed country by 2047. He said that the goal of making India a developed country is paramount and the entire country is working to realize this resolve.

At the end of the program, PM Modi made a special appeal to the people of Vadodara. He said that the people of Vadodara have worked hard to make the city clean, but now we have to make a resolution that “We will not let Vadodara become dirty.”

He called upon every citizen to participate in maintaining cleanliness and making the city more beautiful and clean.

Throughout the program, PM Modi spoke about India’s changing direction in areas including development, infrastructure, railways, manufacturing, solar energy, skill development and AI and called upon the youth to be important partners in building a developed India by 2047.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)