PM Modi assures that Indian trains will be second to none in the world
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on 20 Oct 2023.
He also flagged off the Namo Bharat RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, marking the launch of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India.
Modi dedicated to the nation, two stretches of east-west corridor of Bengaluru Metro and travelled on RRT Namo Bharat.
The Prime Minister also travelled on board the Regional Rapid Train Namo Bharat.
Modi recalled laying the foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor four years ago and marked its operation today (20 Oct) on the Sahibabad to Duhai Depot stretch.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to inaugurate the projects whose foundation stones are laid and expressed confidence that he will be present to inaugurate the completion of the Meerut stretch of RRTS after one and a half years.
The Prime Minister said that the Namo Bharat train has modernity and speed. “Namo Bharat Train is defining the new journey of New India and its new resolutions.”
The Prime Minister reiterated his belief that India’s development lies in the development of the states. “India of the 21st century is writing its own saga of progress and development in every sector.”
Prime Minister highlighted the eagerness of multinational companies to set up manufacturing units in India for mobile phones, TVs, laptops and computers while defence manufacturing has advanced to building fighter jets and aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
He underlined the manufacturing capacity and capability, pointing out, “The Namo Bharat train is also Made in India including the screen doors installed on the platforms.”
The Prime Minister stressed that Namo Bharat is a glimpse of India of the future and exemplifies the transformation of the nation with growing economic muscle.
This 80-km Delhi Meerut stretch is just the beginning as the first phase will see many areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan being connected with Namo Bharat Train.
In the coming days, a similar system will be created in the other parts of the country to improve connectivity and create new avenues of employment, he assured guests at the project launch.
The Prime Minister said that this third decade of the present century is the decade of transformation of Indian Railways. “I am not in the habit of small dreams and walking slowly. I want to give a guarantee to the young generation of today that by the end of this decade, you will not find Indian trains second to none in the world.”
Indian railway will achieve a new pedestal in the world in safety, cleanliness, facilities, coordination, sensitivity, and capability, he said. Indian railway is not very far from the goal of 100% electrification.
The Prime Minister listed initiatives like modern trains such as Namo Bharat and Vande Bharat and the upgradation of the railway station under Amrit Bharat Railway station scheme. “Trinity of Amrit Bharat, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat will become a symbol of modern railways by the end of this decade.”
Underling the thinking of multi-modal connectivity, the Prime Minister said that Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad and Meerut bus stations, metro stations and railway stations are being connected by Namo Bharat system.
The Prime Minister informed that the government is spending more than ever to improve the public transport system in the country and mentioned the all-round development efforts on land, air and sea.
Giving examples of water transport systems, he highlighted that more than a hundred waterways are being developed in the rivers of India where the largest waterway is being developed along the Ganges from Varanasi to Haldia.
He said that farmers can now send their produce outside the region with the help of inland waterways.
He spoke about the expansion and modernization of port infrastructure in the country whose benefits are also reaped by states like Karnataka.
Referring to the land network, the Prime Minister informed that more than Rs.4 lakh crores are being spent on expanding the web of modern expressways, while Rs.3 lakh crores are being spent on modern trains such as Namo Bharat or metro trains.
Drawing parallels from the expansion of the metro network in Delhi, the Prime Minister said that cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Agra and Kanpur from Uttar Pradesh are following a similar path. Even in Karnataka, the metro is being expanded in Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Throwing light on the increased air connectivity, the Prime Minister informed that the number of airports has doubled in the last 9 years, and India’s airlines have placed orders for more than 1,000 new aircrafts.
He also spoke about India’s rapid stride in the space sector and mentioned the Chandrayaan that has set foot on the Moon.
Modi informed that the government has prepared a roadmap till 2040, which includes the Gaganyaan for manned space journeys, and setting up India’s space station. “The day is not far when we will land the first Indian on the moon in our spacecraft.”
He reiterated that these developments are carried out for the youth of the country and create a bright future for them.
Referring to the need to reduce urban pollution, he said the network of electric buses in the country is growing. The Central government has started a scheme of providing 10,000 electric buses to the states.
Further, the Government is preparing to run more than 1,300 electric buses in Delhi at an expense of Rs.600 crore. Out of these, more than 850 electric buses have already started plying on Delhi thoroughfares.
Similarly, the Government is providing assistance of Rs.500 crore to run more than 1200 electric buses in Bengaluru. “The Central Government is trying to promote modern and green public transport in every city, be it Delhi, UP or Karnataka.” Fiinews.com
