PM launches railway infrastructure push

The biggest beneficiary of a developed India will be its young and their dream will drive the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he virtually inaugurated around 2,000 railway infrastructure projects spanning revamped stations, new underpasses and over bridges worth ₹41,000 crore across India.

In his speech that followed the programme, Modi said the third term of his government will begin from June, highlighting that he was confident of a victory in this summer's general elections. He later also spoke at the Bharat Tex event in Delhi.

"When Modi talks about a developed India, its architect and biggest beneficiary are the youth of the country. Today's projects will provide new employment and self-employment opportunities to lakhs of youth of the country. The rejuvenation taking place in the Railways today will also benefit those friends who are studying in schools and colleges. This transformation will also be very useful for those who are below 30-35," Modi said virtually.

The PM said Viksit Bharat or developed India - also a key part of his election narrative was the India of their dreams.

"I want to tell every youth of the country that your dream is Modi's resolve. Your dream, your hard work and Modi's resolve, this is the guarantee of a developed India," he said.

"When Modi speaks about a developed India, its architect and biggest beneficiary are the youth of the country," he said.

Modi's pitch to young voters comes just weeks before general elections, where voters aged between 18 and 19 will be around 18 million of the total electorate of around 960 million.

The event was virtually attended by 450,000 students and 50,000 of them received awards, said a railways official. In all, nearly four million people watched the live telecast of the event that was broadcast at 2021 places across the country, added the official.

"Today, in your presence, the foundation stone of more than 2,000 projects related to Railways has been laid and inaugurated. This is when the third term of this government is going to start from June," he said.