Modi launches multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 27,000 crore in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, June 20, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that, in the last eight years, his government had worked on complete transformation of rail connectivity in India.

Speaking after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 27,000 crore in Bengaluru, he also said he would work hard to fulfill the dreams of the city in the next 40 months, which have been pending for the last 40 years.

"“Bengaluru has shown what Indian youth can do if the government provides facilities and minimizes interference in the lives of citizens," he said.

The Prime Minister aso inaugurated the Centre for Brain Research and laid the foundation stone for the Bagchi Parthasarathy Muti-specialty Hospital at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here.

He also inaugurated a new campus of the Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics and unveiled the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. He also dedicated the upgradation of 150 ITIs as technology hubs.

Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi were amongst those present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the foundation stones of five National Highway (NH) projects, seven Railway projects were laid in Karnataka today and a significant milestone of 100% electrification of Konkan Railway had been achieved today.

All these projects will give new facilities, new opportunities to the youth, middle class, farmers, workers and entrepreneurs of Karnataka, he said.

The Prime Minister said that Bengaluru is a city of dreams for lakhs of youth of the country and a reflection of the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. “Development of Bengaluru is nurturing of lakhs of dreams. That’s why in the last eight years the central government is relently working to augment the capabilities of Bengluru.”

He remarked that the "double-engine" government is working on every possible means like strengthening infrastructure like rail, road, metro, underpasses, flyovers, to get Bengaluru free from traffic jams. He added that his government is committed to connecting the suburban areas of Bengaluru with better connectivity.

Modi said that talk about all these measures was going on for the last four decades and now, with the "double-engine" BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state, people have given the opportunity to complete these projects to the current dispensation. He reiterated his commitment to deliver the projects in time.

He said that the Bengaluru Suburban rail project would connect Bengaluru city with its suburbs and satellite townships and that would have a multiplier effect. Similarly, the Bengaluru Ring Road project will reduce the city's congestion, he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that in the last eight years the government has worked on complete transformation of rail connectivity. He noted that Indian Railways is getting faster, cleaner, it is becoming modern, safe and citizen friendly.

“We have taken the railways to those parts of the country where it was difficult to even think about it. Indian Railways is now trying to provide those facilities and the ambience which was once found only in airports and air travel. The modern railway station in Bengaluru named after Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya is also a direct proof of this," he said.

He stressed the importance of integrated multimodal connectivity. He mentioned that this multi-modal connectivity is getting new impetus with the PM GatiShakti National Masterplan. He said the upcoming Multimodal Logistics park is part of this vision. Such projects that are being undertaken with the spirit of GatiShakti will give employment to youth and also strengthen the Aatmnirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign, he said.

The Prime Minister said Bengaluru’s success story inspires 21st century India to become self-reliant. Bengaluru has shown what Indian youth can do if the government provides facilities and minimizes interference in the lives of citizens. Benguluru is the dream city of the youth of the country and behind it is entrepreneurship, innovation, proper utility of public as well as private sector. He said Bengaluru is a lesson for those who still disrespect the spirit of private enterprise of India. 21st century India, he said, is an India of wealth creators, job creators and innovators. As the youngest nation of the world, this is India's wealth and strength, he added.

Modi also highlighted the importance of MSME and said that, with the change in definition of SME, new avenues of their growth have been thrown open. As a mark of confidence in Aatmnirbhar Bharat, India has done away with foreign participation in contracts upto Rs 200 crore. Central government departments have been directed to make purchase upto 25 per cent from MSME. GeM portal, he said, is proving to be a great enabler for the MSME segment.

Referring to huge strides in the startup sector, the Prime Minister said one could count on fingers how many billion dollar companies were created in earlier decades. But in the last 8 years, more than 100 billion-dollar companies have been created and new companies are being added every month. The Prime Minister informed that while the first 10,000 startups took 800 days after 2014 but now this many startups are being added in less than 200 days. Valuation of unicorns created in the last 8 years is about Rs 12 lakh crore, he informed.

The Prime Minister said that he clearly believed whether the undertaking is government or private, both are the assets of the country, so the level playing field should be given to everyone equally. The Prime Minister invited the youth of the country to test their vision and ideas on the world class facilities that the government is providing. He said that the government is providing platform to the youth who are working hard. Even the government companies will compete on a level playing field, he concluded.

Among the projects launched today, the Bengaluru Suburban rail project (BSRP) will connect Bengaluru city with its suburbs and satellite townships. The project, which is to be built at a cost of over Rs. 15,700 crore, envisages 4 corridors with a total route length of over 148 kms.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the redevelopment of Bengaluru Cantonment and Yesvantpur Junction railway station to be developed at a cost of around Rs 500 crore and Rs 375 crore, respectively.

He dedicated to the nation India’s first air-conditioned railway station - Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Station - at Baiyappanahalli, which is developed on the lines of a modern airport at a total cost of around Rs 315 crore. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the 100 percent electrification of the Konkan railway line (about 740 kms) from Roha (Maharashtra) to Thokur (Karnataka) by flagging of electric trains from Udupi, Madagaon and Ratnagiri. The electrification of the Konkan Railway line has been done at a cost of more than Rs 1,280 crore. He also dedicated to the nation two railway line doubling projects : Arsikere to Tumkuru (around 96 km) and Yelahanka to Penukonda (around 120 km) by flagging off passenger trains and MEMU service, respectively. The two railway line doubling projects have been developed at a cost of more than Rs 750 crore and Rs 1100 crore, respectively.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of two sections of the Bengaluru Ring Road project. The project to be developed at a cost of more than Rs 2,280 crore will help reduce traffic congestion in the city. He also laid the foundation stone of various other road projects : six-laning of Nelamangala-Tumkur section of NH-48; widening of Punjalkatte-Charmadi section of NH-73; and rehabilitation and upgradation of a section of NH-69. The cumulative cost to be incurred in these projects is about Rs 3,150 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of Multi-Modal Logistics Park, which is being developed at Muddalinganahalli, about 40 km from Bengaluru at a cost of about Rs 1,800 crore. It will help in lowering the transportation, handling and secondary freight costs.

The Centre for Brain Research is developed as a one of its kind research facility and focuses on conducting vital research to provide evidence based public health interventions to manage age-related brain disorders.

The 832-bedded Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital will be developed in the campus of IISc Bengaluru and will help integrate science, engineering and medicine at the prestigious institute. It will provide a major push to clinical research in the country and will work towards finding innovative solutions that will help in improvement of healthcare services in the country.

NNN