With an eye on the December 2022 Assembly elections in Gujarat, development works in the state, which took a backseat after the Covid-19 pandemic, have been put on fast track now. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated several projects worth Rs 1,200 crore in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Union Home Minister Amit Shah too has inaugurated 14 projects worth Rs 550 crore in the state since 1 June 2021.
PM Modi on Friday virtually inaugurated a revamped Vadnagar railway station where he used to sell tea during his childhood. Vadnagar in Gujarat’s Mehsana district is PM Modi’s hometown. “My numerous memories are connected with this station,” PM Modi said, after inaugurating the redeveloped Vadnagar railway station in his home town via video link.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the re-developed Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station and a five-star business hotel with 318 rooms at the top of this modern station at 4.30 pm on Friday. The hotel has been completed at a cost of Rs 790 crore. The other Railway projects include the gauge converted cum electrified Mahesana-Varetha line, and the newly electrified Surendranagar-Pipavav section. He also inaugurated a Rs 260 crore Aquatic Gallery and a Rs 127 crore Robotic Gallery at Science City.
Speaking at the occasion, the Prime Minister said, “The wagon of development of ‘New India’ will move forward only by running on two tracks simultaneously. One of the tracks is of modernity while the other track is for the welfare of the poor, farmers and middle class.”
He said that the horizontal and vertical expansion of Railways is important for development. The new Gandhinagar station reflects a change in terms of infrastructure. It is proof of optimum utilisation of modern technology, also resulting in employment opportunities.
“Today, the image of Indian Railways and its reputation are improving. Safety, speed, cleanliness and facilities—all have improved in the Railways. The speed of trains will increase after the operationalisation of dedicated freight corridors in the coming days,” the PM said. He said Railways has reached new dimensions of development and facilities. “It is the effort of the last few years that today the train is reaching the capitals of Northeast for the first time,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that major railway stations across the country are being modernised. Railway stations in tier-II and tier-III cities are also being equipped with Wi-Fi facilities. He said that the unmanned railway crossings on broad gauge have been completely eliminated, keeping in mind safety and security requirements. “The needs of 21st century India cannot be fulfilled through the ways of the 20th century. That is why Railways needed reforms with a new approach. We worked to develop Railways not only as a service but as an asset, the result of which can be clearly seen today,” the Prime Minister stated.
PM Modi also launched a once-a-week superfast train between Gandhinagar and Varanasi. “We will connect the land of Somnath with the land of Vishwanath,” he assured.