New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveiled development projects worth about Rs 1.06 lakh crore during his visit on Saturday Rajasthan. The projects include inauguration of the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, launch of the revised UDAN scheme, dedication of India’s first Greenfield Integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex to the nation and foundation stone laying and inauguration of several infrastructure projects at Balotra.He also handed over appointment letters to about 54,000 newly appointed Rajasthan government employees. Addressing a public meeting, PM Modi He said that the BJP government is committed to completing the projects after laying the foundation stone of them and highlighted the speed of execution.He thanked people from all over Rajasthan for attending the event and said that the presence of people in large numbers shows the faith of the people in the government.“I am told that today lakhs of people have gathered at 10,000-12,000 places for this event. Wherever you look, there are people. Through technology, people from every corner of Rajasthan are connected. I also wish all my brothers and sisters of Rajasthan the best from here.”Referring to the scale of the gathering, he further said, “Such a huge gathering of people in this summer season, at so many places, and your blessings to all of us, shows how strong is your faith in the efforts of the BJP government. I am grateful to the land of Rajasthan for your affection. This land has seen the valor of countless warriors. Every particle of this land has taught us to put self-respect above everything else.”“
‘India took the right decision’
Commenting on India’s energy situation in the adverse conditions of the Middle East, PM Modi said, “India has taken the right decisions at every level… correctly assessed the crisis in time… formulated an effective strategy… Made balanced use of India’s resources. India made positive use of its diplomatic power. And only then India has been able to overcome the crisis.”He further said, “The will power and efforts of the new India of the 21st century have overcome the biggest energy crisis of the century.”
Addressing energy disruptions
On the energy supply front, he said, “About 60% of our LPG requirements used to be met through imports, of which 90% of the supplies came from the Gulf countries, passing through Hormuz, but due to the sudden war situation the supplies almost stopped. You can imagine how big a crisis was looming over our country.”Highlighting the government’s response to the LPG supply disruption, he said refinery operations were swiftly restarted to boost domestic production. He said facilities that were previously producing other petroleum products were repurposed to produce LPG, while even refineries that had never produced the fuel before were reconfigured for the task.“As soon as the crisis began, we focused on leveraging our refinery capacities. Refineries that previously produced other products were directed to make LPG, and within just seven days, LPG production increased. Domestic LPG production increased from 35,000 metric tons to 54,000 metric tons during the crisis. Refineries that had never produced LPG before were required to do so. Reconfigured.”He said the government also worked to ease pressure on LPG demand by expanding access to piped natural gas (PNG).“The government also ensured that the entire burden of LPG demand does not fall on LPG alone. A drive was launched to expand PNG connections. In a very short period of time, India connected more than 1.1 million households to PNG.”These measures helped keep LPG prices under control despite concerns over sharp rise.“Given the current circumstances, domestic gas cylinder prices may rise by Rs 2,000, it has been estimated by leading market experts. Yet, domestic LPG cylinders are still being made available for less than Rs 950…”The Prime Minister also said that the long-standing water crisis in the Shekhawati region is nearing resolution and congratulated the residents for the development projects. “The wait for the solution to the water crisis in the Shekhawati region is also about to end. I heartily congratulate our brothers and sisters for all these projects.”
PM launches revised UDAN scheme, inaugurates Jodhpur airport terminal
PM Modi started his tour in Jodhpur by inaugurating the new terminal building at Jodhpur airport developed at a cost of Rs 480 crore. Spread over 23,000 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 20 lakh passengers annually and is equipped with modern passenger amenities. Inspired by the royal heritage of Rajasthan, it combines traditional architectural elements like arches and jharokhas with contemporary design.He also launched the revised UDAN scheme, under which Rs 28,840 crore has been allocated over the next 10 years to strengthen regional air connectivity. The scheme includes development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips with an outlay of over Rs 12,000 crore, over Rs 2,500 crore for operation and maintenance support for regional airports, construction of 200 modern helipads and a viability gap fund of over Rs 10,000 crore for airlines. It also provides for procurement of indigenous aircraft and helicopters including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms.
Development projects worth about Rs 1.06 lakh crore unveiled in Balotra
From Jodhpur, Modi went to Balotra, where he inaugurated, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth about Rs 1.06 lakh crore in sectors including petrochemicals, urban transport, railways, roads, renewable energy and power transmission.He also dedicated to the nation the country’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra. Developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, the 9 MMTPA refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has been built with an investment of over Rs 79,450 crore.PM Modi said, “From this earth, India has taken a big step towards becoming a developed and self-reliant nation. Today a refinery has been dedicated to the country. This refinery will become a source of employment for thousands of people here. I especially congratulate the youth of Rajasthan for this refinery. Today is proof that BJP governments do not just lay the foundation stone of projects and then abandon them. Rather, we work day and night to complete those projects.”The complex integrates refining and petrochemical production, has a petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA, a Nelson Complexity Index of 17.0 and a petrochemical yield of over 26%. This is expected to strengthen India’s energy security, increase petrochemical self-reliance, support industrial development and generate employment in the sector. During the program, Modi also flagged off refinery production tankers from the complex.He also laid the foundation stone for Phase 2 of the Jaipur Metro Rail Project, which will be developed at a cost of over Rs 13,000 crore. The 41 km long north-south corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod will include 36 stations connecting major industrial and residential areas across Jaipur.Additionally, he inaugurated the Churu-Sadulpur and Churu-Ratangarh Rail Doubling Projects constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 900 crore and inaugurated four laning of NH-125A Jodhpur Ring Road Section-2 developed at a cost of approximately Rs 740 crore.In the renewable energy sector, PM Modi dedicated SJVN Ltd’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project and NHPC’s 300 MW Karnisar Bikaner Solar Power Plant, developed with an investment of about Rs 5,500 crore. He also inaugurated a transmission line built at a cost of over Rs 1,900 crore to draw power from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Sector and laid the foundation stone of a 530-km long power transmission system for the region.
Handed over appointment letters to 54,000 recruits
During the programme, the Prime Minister handed over appointment letters to about 54,000 youth recruited in various departments of the Government of Rajasthan. The recruitment includes personnel from education, energy, home, panchayati raj, transport, higher education, skill development, planning, agriculture, information technology and administrative reforms departments.Referring to the projects inaugurated during the visit, the Prime Minister said the government focuses on timely completion rather than stopping after laying the foundation stone.
gujarat tour
After concluding his Rajasthan visit, the Prime Minister will visit Gujarat, where he is set to inaugurate CG Semi’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand. Developed under the India Semiconductor Mission with an investment of over Rs 7,500 crore, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of up to 5 billion semiconductor chips when fully developed.The facility currently employs over 300 professionals and is projected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect high-skilled employment opportunities over the next five years. During the visit, the Prime Minister will also inspect the semiconductor manufacturing and packaging processes inside the cleanroom facility before addressing a public gathering.
