Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 24,300 crore in Rajasthan's Bikaner. Addressing a public rally in Rajashthan’s Bikaner, Modi said: "Today, foundation stone of projects worth Rs 24,000 crore were laid for state of Rajasthan including Bikaner. The state has got two modern six-lane expressways," PTI reported.






"Rajasthan has the potential for fast pace development...youth of Rajasthan will be benefitted most with the increasing connectivity...Greenfield Expressway corridor will connect Rajasthan with Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir," PM Modi said, ANI reported. 






During the address, he hit out at Congress by saying, "We send schemes from Delhi to Rajasthan but in Jaipur the Congress claws at them. Congress has nothing to do with Rajasthan's problems and your problems. The Congress government is also troubled by the BJP's plan to provide benefits to every household. Congress has only done harm to the state in the past years. Congress ka matlab hai loot ki dukan, jhooth ka bazaar'...Farmers of Rajasthan have suffered the most due to the Congress government...Ever since the Congress government came to power in Rajasthan, what did they do? For 4 years, the entire Congress party and the government have been fighting among themselves. Everyone is pulling each other's legs"






The Prime Minister then said, "The enthusiasm of the people is telling that not only the temperature of the weather has risen in Rajasthan, but the temper of the people has also risen against the Congress government. When the temper of the public rises, it does not take time for the heat of power to subside and the power to change."




Speaking at the gathering, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated: "After being sworn in as the PM, he (PM Modi) had in his priority put forth a mission of building world-class infrastructure. In these nine years, India's road infrastructure had changed. Rajasthan's Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway's quality, planning is important...This road infrastructure in Rajasthan, will be helpful for the development of the state."






Following the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow in Bikaner. 






During his visit to Bikaner, the Prime Minister dedicated launched the six lane greenfield expressway section of the Amritsar - Jamnagar Economic Corridor.


Built at a cost of around Rs. 11,125 crore, this section spans over 500 kilometres in Rajasthan which runs from village Jakhdawali in Hanumangarh district to village Khetlawas in Jalore district. 


This expressway will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity between major cities, and industrial corridors. The expressway will not only facilitate seamless transportation of goods but also enhance tourism and economic development along its route, said the Prime Minister's Office in a statement. 


The PM also dedicated to the Nation the phase-I of the Inter-State Transmission Line for Green Energy Corridor worth around Rs. 10,950 Crore in a bid to boost the power sector in the region. The green energy corridor will integrate about 6 GW of renewable power and help in grid balancing of Renewable Power with Thermal Generation in Western Region and Hydro Generation in the Northern Region, thereby strengthening transmission capacity between Northern Region and Western Region.


Bikaner to Bhiwadi Transmission Line was also dedicated to the nation, developed by Power Grid at a cost of  around Rs. 1,340 crores. 


A new 30-bedded Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Bikaner was also dedicated to the nation by PM Modi with an upgradeable capacity to 100 beds. This hospital will serve as a vital healthcare facility, catering to the medical needs of the local community and ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services, said the PMO. 


The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of the Bikaner Railway station, to be developed at a cost of around Rs. 450 crores. The redevelopment will involve  renovation of all platforms along with flooring and ceiling while ensuring preservation of the heritage status of the existing structure of the railway station.


Foundation Stone for the Doubling of the 43 km long Churu – Ratangarh section will also be laid by the Prime Minister