PM Modi lays foundation stone, dedicates railway projects worth more than Rs 660 cr in Jharkhand

Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) [India], September 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various railway projects worth more than Rs660 crore in Tatanagar, Jharkhand, on Sunday, via video conferencing. He also distributed sanction letters to 32,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

The projects include the foundation stone laying for the Madhupur Bypass line in Deoghar district and the Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand. Once completed, the Madhupur Bypass line will help avoid train delays on the Howrah-Delhi mainline and reduce travel time between Giridih, Jasidih, and Hazaribagh. The Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot will aid in maintaining coaching stock at this station.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the Kurkura-Kanaroan doubling project, which is part of the Bondamunda-Ranchi single line section and the Rourkela-Gomoh route via Ranchi, Muri, and Chandrapura stations. This project will significantly enhance the movement of goods and passenger traffic. Additionally, four road under bridges (RUBs) were inaugurated to improve safety for the public.

PM Modi distributed sanction letters to 32,000 PMAY-G beneficiaries from Jharkhand, releasing the first installment of assistance. He also participated in the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 46,000 beneficiaries.

Earlier, PM Modi flagged off six Vande Bharat trains at Tatanagar Junction Railway Station via video conferencing.

He acknowledged the occasion of Karma Parv in Jharkhand, which celebrates nature. He shared that a woman presented him with a symbol of Karma Parv during his arrival at Ranchi airport, symbolising the festival’s prayers for the prosperity of brothers. PM Modi extended his best wishes and noted that Jharkhand had been blessed with six new Vande Bharat trains, development projects worth over Rs600 crore, and new houses for the people under PM Awas Yojana.

Reflecting on the past, PM Modi recalled that modern development was once limited to a few states and cities, while regions like Jharkhand were left behind. He emphasised that the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ has transformed the nation’s priorities, focusing on the poor, tribals, Dalits, deprived, women, youth, and farmers.

PM Modi highlighted the growing demand for Vande Bharat trains to enhance connectivity across the country. He mentioned inaugurating three new Vande Bharat trains for northern and southern states a few days ago and six more today. These trains have already begun their journeys.

The expansion of rail connectivity in Eastern India, the Prime Minister said, will bolster the regional economy and significantly benefit businesses, professionals, and students. He also noted that the new Vande Bharat trains would boost cultural activities, particularly for pilgrims visiting Kashi, who can now travel to Baba Baidyanath in Deoghar via the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat train. This, he said, would promote tourism in the region and support Tatanagar’s industrial development, creating new employment opportunities for the youth.

“Modern railway infrastructure is key to rapid development,” the Prime Minister remarked, highlighting the various projects inaugurated.

PM Modi pointed out that the central government had significantly increased both investment and the speed of development works in Jharkhand to ensure its comprehensive progress.

“More than Rs7,000 crore was allocated to Jharkhand for strengthening the state’s railway infrastructure in this year’s budget, 16 times more than what was allocated 10 years ago,” PM Modi stated.

He also highlighted the benefits of the increased railway budget, including new lines, electrification, doubling of existing lines, and infrastructure development at stations, all progressing at a rapid pace.

The Prime Minister praised Jharkhand for being among the states where 100% of railway lines are electrified. He also noted that more than 50 railway stations in Jharkhand are being rejuvenated under the Amrit Bharat Railway Station scheme.

He further stressed the numerous initiatives undertaken since 2014 to empower the poor, Dalits, deprived, and tribal families across the country, including the PM Janman Yojana for tribal communities, which also benefits Jharkhand.

“Through this scheme, we are making efforts to reach the most backward tribal communities. Officials are personally reaching out to families to provide them with housing, roads, electricity, water, and education,” he said.

“These initiatives are part of the government’s commitment to a developed Jharkhand,” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister also apologised to the people of Jharkhand for not being able to attend the event in person, as poor weather conditions prevented his helicopter from taking off, requiring him to inaugurate the projects via video conferencing.