By Bisheshwar Mishra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of two hydropower projects and launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion PM said that Himacal Pradesh today realised the strength of the double-engine government which has doubled the pace of development in the State.
Prime Minister said that the previous governments would provide services to only those areas where the burden of work and stress remained low and political benefits were high. As a result, the development rate of remote and tribal areas remained fairly low.
PM Modi said, the working style of a double-engine Government is different from the rest. He underlined, we are giving maximum emphasis on ease of living in tribal and hilly areas. He listed measures like providing gas connections, piped water, health services, Ayushman Bharat, and road connectivity that are changing lives in these areas. The Prime Minister mentioned that the projects for which the foundation stone has been laid today will increase the share of Chamba and Himachal in the field of power generation.
Talking about the construction of rural roads, the Prime Minister said that till 2014, rural roads of 7000 km in length were constructed since Independence with an expenditure of 1800 crores but in the last eight years, 12000 km of roads with a financial outlay of just 5000 crores have been constructed. Schemes started today will create 3000 km of rural roads.
The Prime Minister remarked that the next 25 years are very crucial for 130 crore Indians as we have to accomplish the goal of making India a developed country. The Prime Minister elaborated, in the coming few months, 75 years of the establishment of Himachal Pradesh is also going to be completed.
He also expressed happiness about children from Kerala coming to Himachal in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Citing the example of Vocal for Local, the Prime Minister appreciated the women associated with Self Help Groups due to their impetus to efforts of the government to promote local products. The Prime Minister informed that these products are also being promoted under the One District One Product Scheme.
Earlier, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park and dedicated the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una to the nation. He also flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express from Amb Andaura, Una to New Delhi. He pointed out that today, Himachal has one of the most advanced trains running from Una.
The Prime Minister also informed that Himachal Pradesh has played a crucial role in making India the number one medicine manufacturer in the world and its possibilities are only going to increase. He said, the entire world has witnessed the strength of the medicines manufactured in Himachal Pradesh.