'Unlike some others, development work for us is not for winning elections but for progress of Nation': PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized that his government's developmental works are aimed at nation-building rather than winning elections, contrary to what some people may perceive. Speaking at a public event in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for railway projects worth Rs 85,000 crore. This includes the launch of 10 new Vande Bharat trains.
Addressing the audience, PM Modi said, "Some people try to look at our efforts through the electoral lens. Let me tell you that we undertake developmental works as part of a mission to build the nation, not to form a government (by winning elections). We want to ensure that our youth do not suffer what their past generations suffered. This is Modi's guarantee."
Highlighting the government's commitment to railway development, PM Modi said that in the last decade alone, his government has invested nearly six times more in the railways compared to the previous administrations. "In last 10 years, my government spent around six times more amount for development of railways than was done earlier," PM Modi highlighted.
"In just over two months of 2024, we have inaugurated and laid the foundation of Rs 11 lakh crore projects," he said.
"I started my life on railway tracks, so I know how bad our railways were earlier," he added.
He further explained that the decision to integrate the railway budget into the Union budget was aimed at utilizing government funds for the development of the railways. "I discontinued separate railway budget and included it in Union budget so that govt money can be used for railway development," he said.
PM Modi also highlighted the success of the "Aastha" trains, which have facilitated 4.5 lakh people to visit Ayodhya. PM Modi concluded by saying, "In just over two months of 2024, we have inaugurated and laid the foundation of Rs 11 lakh crore projects."
PM Modi today inaugurated 10 high-speed Vande Bharat trains from Ahmedabad marking a significant development in the country's railway infrastructure. During his visit to the DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for various railway and petrochemical projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores.
These projects include the establishment of railway workshops, loco sheds, pit lines/coaching depots, and the Phaltan-Baramati new line. Additionally, PM Modi dedicated two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) between New Khurja to Sahnewal and New Makarpura to New Gholvad, along with the Western DFC's Operation Control Center in Ahmedabad.
In a move to enhance connectivity, he flagged off ten new Vande Bharat trains on different routes, connecting cities such as Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Varanasi, and Delhi. This initiative aims to provide faster and more efficient travel options for passengers across the country.