India’s Development Did Not Come To Standstill Despite Oil Supply Crisis: PM Modi
Jind: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that Indian Railways would come to a standstill if the situation arising from the West Asian conflict arises before 2014 as most trains run on diesel fuel, stressing that almost 99 per cent of the network has been electrified during the 12 years of his government. The prime minister, who took on the Congress-led UPA government after it halted India’s first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind to Sonipat in Haryana, said the country has “seen another win” due to the major changes that have taken place in the Indian Railways since his government came to power.
He said the country has taken a giant step towards green mobility with the hydrogen train.
“You see, for the last few months, a war has been going on in West Asia, in the entire Strait of Hormuz, covering Iran and the Gulf. India receives large amounts of oil, diesel, LPG gas and fertilizer for our farmers through this sea route. However, for the last 3-4 months, this route has remained a constant battlefield…” he said.
Modi asked what would have happened if this had happened before 2014, when his government came to power. But friends, that’s not the case in 2014. “It is Modi who thinks well in advance and also translates the solutions to the problems into reality on the ground,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the electrification of Indian Railways started almost 100 years ago in 1925, but in the nine decades between then and 2014, only 30 per cent of the country’s rail network has been electrified. “The remaining 70 per cent depended on diesel. At the rate that only 30 per cent was completed in those 90 years, it would take another 200 years to achieve full electrification. Indian Railways might never have been fully electric and would have continued to rely on diesel,” he said.
However, in the last 12 years, almost 99 percent of India’s railway network and 100 percent of the railway network in Haryana have been electrified, he said.
“As a result, despite the war and the resulting oil supply crisis, India’s railways did not stop. The country’s development did not stop. Trains continued to run uninterrupted,” he said.
Modi also mentioned his recent visits to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand and stated that India signed many agreements and attracted great attention during these visits.
“However, one important issue has not been discussed this much. This concerns the youth of our country, especially the youth of Haryana, and that is sports,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said he had held extensive discussions with the Australian and New Zealand governments on the issue.
“In the coming years, we will work closely with both countries in the sports industry, athlete training and many other relevant areas. This cooperation will greatly benefit the youth of Haryana,” he said.
He said that today in India, sports are being promoted as an important avenue for fitness and employment.
“Our government has introduced a new National Sports Policy ‘Khelo Bharat Niti’. From the Khelo India campaign to the Target Olympic Podium Programme, athletes today are receiving unprecedented support. Significant financial assistance is being provided to them. Here too the BJP government is strongly promoting sports in Haryana and supporting athletes,” Modi said.
He said that today’s program is about the hydrogen train and other development projects, but he also wanted to say something to the young people gathered here.
“You all know that India will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and our country is also pushing for the 2036 Olympic Games to be held in India.” He added that athletes should prepare with full dedication and determination.
“I assure you that the twin-engine government of the BJP will provide every possible facility to help them succeed,” he said.
