Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in Ahmedabad. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, CM Bhupendra Patel and state BJP chief CR Paatil were also present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi stated: "Reforms are being carried out for 'Viksit Bharat', and several projects are being inaugurated and their foundation stones are being laid out in every part of the country. It's been nearly 75 days of 2024. In these 75 days, we have inaugurated and laid foundation stone of projects worth Rs 11 lakh crore."
PM Modi stated that he separated the railway budget and included it into the Union budget "money can be used for railway development."
Taking a dig at previous government, PM Modi stated: "I started my life on railway tracks, so I know how bad our railways were earlier."
"The governments that came after independence gave priority to political selfishness. Indian Railway is a major victim of that," he added.
Speaking at the event, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated: "PM Modi has made railways the channel for India's development, and today's event is an example of that."
In a significant boost to railway infrastructure, connectivity, and the petrochemicals industry, the Prime Minister visited the DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad. He laid the foundation stone and launch a host of railway and petrochemicals projects costing over Rs. 1,06,000 crores.
PM Modi laid the groundwork for Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, the Phaltan-Baramati New Line, the Electric Traction System Upgrade, and dedicated two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) of the Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad (244 Rkm) of the Western DFC, as well as the Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC) in Ahmedabad.
PM Modi also flagged off 10 new Vande Bharat trains virtually.
PM Modi also flagged off freight trains on Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations: New Khurja Jn., Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura.
He also dedicated 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will provide affordable and quality generic medicines to the people.