
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering during
the inauguration and foundation stone laying of various development projects,
in Bikaner district, Rajasthan, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (PTI Photo)
- BIKANER — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised on the nation's
commitment to modernisation, saying a huge effort is underway to build modern
infrastructure for a developed India as he virtually inaugurated 103 Amrit
Bharat railway stations in different parts of the country.
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- "India is modernising its train network and
infrastructure. This reflects the new speed and progress of the country,"
he said at a programme in this city where he inaugurated, laid the foundation
stone and dedicated development projects worth Rs 26,000 crore to the nation.
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- The 103 redeveloped Amrit Bharat stations are spread
across 86 districts in 18 states and Union territories at a cost of over Rs
1,100 crore.
-
- Modi said unprecedented work has been done in the past 11
years to modernise the railway stations and airports in the country, adding the
nation is spending multiple times more money than before on development
projects.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering during
the inauguration and foundation stone laying of various development projects,
in Bikaner district, Rajasthan, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (PTI Photo)
-
- "India is modernising its train network and
infrastructure. This reflects the new speed and progress of the country,"
he said.
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- On Vande Bharat services, he said the train is running on
nearly 70 routes in the country.
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- "This has brought trains to far-flung areas.
Hundreds of road overbridges and underbridges have been constructed in the last
11 years. New tracks have been laid. Work is underway on the country's first
bullet train project," Modi added.
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- "These modernised railway stations have been named
as Amrit Bharat stations. Out of these, more than 100 Amrit Bharat stations
have been completed. People are seeing on social media what was the situation
earlier and how the picture has changed now," he said.
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- "The mantra of development and heritage is clearly
visible at these Amrit Bharat stations. They are also symbols of local art and
culture. At every Amrit Bharat station, you will also get to see India's
thousands of years old heritage," he added.
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- Modi said these stations will be the means of promoting
tourism and will provide new employment opportunities.
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- Over 1,300 stations are being redeveloped with modern facilities,
designed to reflect regional architecture and enhance passenger amenities under
the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Bikaner's Deshnok railway station was also
inaugurated during the programme.
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- Modi, who earlier offered prayers at the Karni Mata temple,
also flagged-off the Bikaner-Mumbai Express from Deshnok station.
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- Inspired by temple architecture, the revamped Deshnok
station located near the Karni Mata temple will cater to thousands of pilgrims
visiting the shrine each year.
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- Modi said the money that the government spends to build
infrastructure also creates employment and business.
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- "This money is going into the pockets of labourers,
it is being given to shopkeepers. It is being given to factory workers. The
people, who transport stones, gravel, cement etc. and those who drive trucks
and tempos also benefit from it," he added.
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- Modi said there are many benefits when the infrastructure
is ready.
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- "The farmer's agriculture produce reaches the market
at a low price and wastage is reduced. New industries are set up, tourism
increases," he added.
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- Highlighting the substantial benefits Rajasthan is
gaining from ongoing infrastructure development, the prime minister noted that
high-quality roads are being constructed across villages and even in border areas.
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- "Over the past 11 years, approximately Rs 70,000
crore has been invested in Rajasthan's road infrastructure alone," he
said.
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- Modi said the central government is set to spend nearly
Rs 10,000 crore on railway development in the state this year, marking a
15-fold increase compared to pre-2014 levels.
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- He further said that Rajasthan's refinery project is in
its final stages, positioning the state as a key hub for petroleum-based
industries.
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- Highlighting the rapid progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft
Bijli Yojana in Rajasthan, Modi noted that over 40,000 people in the state have
already benefited from this initiative, which has eliminated their electricity
bills and provided them an opportunity to generate income through solar power.
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- He underscored that the increasing power generation in
the state is playing a crucial role in accelerating industrial growth.
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- Modi highlighted the critical importance of water for the
region and its role in advancing the development of areas such as Bikaner, Shri
Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and western Rajasthan.
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- He said the government is actively working on completing
irrigation projects while simultaneously implementing river-linking
initiatives.
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- The impact of the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project,
which will benefit multiple districts across Rajasthan ensuring better
agricultural prospects for farmers and enhancing the region's sustainability,
he said.
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- Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, Union Law Minister
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajanlal
Sharma and other leaders were also present during the programme.