PM Modi Highlights Railway Expansion Since 2014; Compares Pace With Previous Governments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday compared India’s railway expansion since 2014 with what he described as the slower pace under previous governments.

Addressing the NaMo 4 Viksit Bharat programme in Vadodara, PM Modi said earlier governments announced one or two trains in the railway budget. They then spent the year publicising those announcements.

“Today, one new train after another is being introduced throughout the year,” he said.

PM Modi highlighted new services, including the Vadodara-Tanda Road passenger train. The service will benefit commuters in Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Jobat-Tanda Road railway line, part of the Chhota Udepur-Dhar project. He said India has manufactured nearly 50,000 modern railway coaches since 2014.

PM Modi contrasted this with the previous UPA government, saying it could not build 50,000 toilets in 10 years. He cited nearly 2.5 lakh additional freight wagons since 2014.

The Prime Minister said the current railway budget has crossed Rs 2.75 lakh crore, several times the allocation around 12 years ago.

Three railway projects spanning 329 km and costing over Rs 9,700 crore received foundation stones. These include new lines between Vadodara and Ratlam, gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar section and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi line.

PM Modi linked infrastructure investment with employment and industrial growth. He said roads, railways, pipelines, ports and airports attract industries and businesses. He cited Vadodara’s industrial evolution and its C-295 aircraft manufacturing programme.

The city, PM Modi said, now hosts India’s first Made-in-India military transport aircraft.

The remarks came as the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor reached full operationalisation. Its final 326-km sections cost over Rs 20,700 crore.

Also Read: PM Modi Criticises Delays In Dedicated Freight Corridor Project Before 2014