Will keep PM's vision on track, ensure railways remains affordable, convenient, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

NEW DELHI: After assuming charge of railways, I&B, and electronics & IT ministries on Tuesday, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that PM Narendra Modi has made serving the poorest of the poor the motto of his life, and citizens have supported his vision to make India the fifth-largest economy.

He said PM Modi has a special emotional connection with railways which has seen huge developments in the past 10 years, including electrification, new tracks, introduction of new trains, station redevelopment.

"He entrusted me the charge of Railways to keep it as an affordable and a convenient mode of transport for the general public," said Vaishnaw, who took office in the presence of MoS L Murugan and I&B secretary Sanjay Jaju.

Soon after taking charge as I&B minister, Vaishnaw said, "PM Modi has taken measures for the welfare of farmers, youth, and the empowerment of women."

The 53-year-old bureaucrat-turned-politician, known as a tough taskmaster, also holds key portfolios such as railways, and electronics and information technology. He was inducted as a minister for the first time in July 2021.

He was appointed deputy secretary in the office of then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.

Vaishnaw, Rajya Sabha member from Odisha, is an IIT-Kanpur alumnus with an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, US. He succeeded Anurag Singh Thakur, who held the position for nearly three years in the previous Modi govt.