PM Modi Lays Foundation for Rs 660 Crore Railway Projects in Jharkhand, Flags Off Six Vande Bharat Trains

Bhubaneswar, September 15, 2024 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for key railway projects worth over Rs 660 crore in Tatanagar, Jharkhand, and flagged off six Vande Bharat trains via video conferencing. During the event, PM Modi also distributed sanction letters to 32,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and released the first installment of Rs 32 crore to these beneficiaries. Additionally, he participated in the Griha Pravesh celebrations of 46,000 new homeowners.

Addressing the audience virtually, PM Modi emphasized Jharkhand’s potential to become one of India’s most prosperous states and reiterated his government’s commitment to developing Jharkhand alongside the country. He highlighted how the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ has transformed national priorities, focusing on the upliftment of the poor, tribals, women, and farmers.

Speaking about the six Vande Bharat trains, PM Modi stressed that the expansion of rail connectivity in eastern India will give a significant boost to the regional economy, benefiting businesses, professionals, and students. He noted that the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat route will enhance pilgrimage tourism and industrial development in Tatanagar, creating job opportunities for the youth.

In addition to the Vande Bharat trains, PM Modi laid the foundation for the Madhupur Bypass line in Deoghar district, which will reduce travel times and ease congestion on the Howrah-Delhi mainline. He also inaugurated the Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot to facilitate the maintenance of railway coaching stocks. PM Modi mentioned the Kurkura-Kanaroan doubling project, which will improve passenger and freight traffic, benefiting the steel industry and other sectors in Jharkhand.

Highlighting his government’s focus on infrastructure, PM Modi noted that this year’s budget allocated over Rs 7,000 crore for railway development in Jharkhand, a sixteen-fold increase compared to a decade ago. He added that more than 50 railway stations in the state are being rejuvenated under the Amrit Bharat Railway Station scheme.

The Prime Minister also touched on PMAY-G, stating that the construction of pucca houses for beneficiaries would boost their self-confidence and lay a strong foundation for their future. PM Modi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering the poor, dalits, and tribal communities, highlighting initiatives like the PM Janman Yojana, which focuses on delivering essential services to the most marginalized families.

Despite weather constraints preventing his physical presence in Jharkhand, PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of the state for their continuous support and reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Jharkhand.

The railway projects launched today include the Madhupur Bypass line in Deoghar district and the Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot, both aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency. The Kurkura-Kanaroan doubling project will facilitate the movement of goods and passengers along a key section of the Rourkela-Gomoh route.

The Prime Minister’s focus on housing for all was further solidified by the distribution of sanction letters to 32,000 PMAY-G beneficiaries, with the release of the first installment of assistance. The Griha Pravesh celebrations of 46,000 beneficiaries also underscored the government’s commitment to providing quality housing with access to basic amenities such as water, electricity, and gas.

Prime Minister Modi’s virtual address and the projects launched today reflect the government’s sustained efforts to boost infrastructure, connectivity, and housing in Jharkhand. With a focus on inclusive development, the initiatives announced today are expected to significantly improve the quality of life for the people of the region and contribute to the state’s economic growth.