Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significant advancements in the railway sector, highlighting the unprecedented speed and scale of transformation. He noted that the budget allocated to the railways has increased manifold over the past decade, reaching a record allocation of two lakh 50 thousand crore rupees this year, compared to just 45 thousand crore rupees in 2014.
During a virtual event, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for and inaugurated approximately two thousand railway infrastructure projects valued at over 41 thousand crore rupees. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and bolster employment opportunities.
Mr. Modi underscored India's appeal as an investment destination, attributing it to the country's modern infrastructure. He also mentioned India's ascent to the fifth-largest economy globally, with ongoing efforts to climb further and become the third-largest economy in the near future.
Regarding railway achievements, the Prime Minister noted a doubling in the speed of laying railway lines and expanded reach to previously underserved regions like Jammu and Kashmir and the North Eastern States. He highlighted the transformative impact of initiatives like the Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, which have elevated the passenger experience with world-class facilities, making rail travel more convenient.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of massive investments in railway infrastructure for generating new opportunities, particularly for the youth. This includes the redevelopment of 553 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, spread across 27 states and union territories, at a cost exceeding 19 thousand crore rupees.
Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated the redeveloped Gomti Nagar station in Uttar Pradesh and laid the foundation stone for 1500 Road Over Bridges and Underpasses. These projects aim to alleviate congestion, enhance safety, improve connectivity, and increase the efficiency of rail travel.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed the sentiments, highlighting the transformative growth witnessed in the railway sector over the past decade. Notably, he mentioned significant achievements such as the laying of 31 thousand kilometers of railway lines and electrification of 40 thousand kilometers of lines during this period. He also pointed out the substantial increase in the pace of railway line laying, from four kilometers per day in 2014 to 15 kilometers per day presently.
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