Railways need to be reformed, govt pursuing it on express mode: PM Modi while inaugurating projects in Gujarat...
Railways need to be reformed, govt pursuing it on express mode: PM Modi while inaugurating projects in Gujarat...
Inaugurating projects worth over Rs 1,100 crore in Gujarat on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed upon the need to reform the Indian Railways and said his government is pursuing this on express mode.
The prime minister virtually inaugurated multiple development projects in Gujarat, including a five-star hotel atop the redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station.
The luxury hotel has 318 rooms and is spread across 7,400 square meters. It has been built at a cost of Rs 790 crore. The hotel is 250 feet high and has been developed as an SPV (special purpose vehicle) set up by the Gujarat government and the Ministry of Railway.
In his virtual address, PM Modi said the needs of the 21st century India won't be fulfilled with the ways of the 20th century. "Modern facilities should be enjoyed not just by the privileged but also by the ordinary people," he said.
Among the projects that PM Modi inaugurated via video link is the redeveloped Vadnagar railway station in his hometown in Gujarat, where in his younger days he reportedly helped his father, who had a tea stall there, sell tea. "Many memories are linked with Vadnagar station," he said.
The Vadnagar railway station, which is part of the Vadnagar-Modhera-Patan heritage circuit, has been redesigned by Indian Tourism, giving it a heritage look with aesthetic stone carvings.
Meanwhile, calling for reforms in the railways, PM Modi said, "We have worked to develop the railways not only as a service but as an asset, the result of which can be clearly seen today."Apart from these projects, the prime minister also inaugurated three new attractions at the Science City in Ahmedabad. These include an aquatic gallery, a robotic gallery and a nature park.
During the virtual event, Modi also flagged the off Gandhinagar-Varanasi weekly superfast train and Gandhinagar-Varetha train.
"I have inaugurated these projects from New Delhi but I will visit these places personally. The country's aim should not be just to build infrastructure of concrete but also have a new vision," he said.
Hitting out at the previous Congress governments in Gujarat, PM Modi said they never cared for developing the state.
"Who can forget the condition of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad? Today, the river has undergone a complete facelift. The seaplanes operating on it have become a major attraction. Similarly, the old Kankariya lake in Ahmedabad has been redeveloped and it is today an attraction. No one thought about them in the past."
