“A new chapter is beginning in the light of new energy, inspirations and resolutions. Today the eyes of the whole world are on India. Modernisation of so many stations will create a new atmosphere for development in the country. These Amrit Railway stations will be a symbol of taking pride in one’s heritage and instilling pride in every citizen. Our emphasis is on making Indian Railways modern as well as environment-friendly. Now it is our responsibility to connect the rail with a better identity and modern future. In New India, development is giving way to new opportunities for the youth, and the youth are giving new wings to the development of the country,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 6 while laying the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations across the country via video conferencing.
According to the government, redeveloped at a cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores, these 508 stations are spread across 27 states and union territories, including 55 each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 each in Gujarat and Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, 15 in Haryana, 13 in Karnataka among others.
Prime Minister said, “August is the month of Kranti, gratitude and duty. Many historical occasions which gave new direction to the history of India took place in August. Our Independence Day is the time to reiterate our commitment towards our Tricolor and the progress of our nation. Like last year, this time also, we have to hoist the tricolor at every house.”
The Prime Minister underlined the growing stature of India in the world and highlighted the growing global interest in India. He credited two major factors for this. First, the election of a stable full majority government by the people of India and, second, the government took ambitious decisions and worked relentlessly for the development of the people in accordance with their aspirations. He emphasised that Indian railways too symbolises this.
He presented the facts of the expansion of the rail sector to illustrate his points. He said that in the last 9 years, the length of track laid in the country is more than the combined railway network in South Africa, Ukraine, Poland, the UK and Sweden. Putting the scale of expansion in Indian railways in perspective, the Prime Minister further said that in the last year alone, India laid more railway tracks than the combined railway network of South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. Today, he said, the government is working to make the rail journey accessible as well as pleasant. “The effort is to provide the best possible experience from train to station”, he added.
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