Stressing the benefits of modernisation of the public transport system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday noted its rapid improvement while saying that one of the thrust areas in this year’s Union Budget was infrastructure.
Speaking at the flagging-off event of two Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai on Friday, Prime Minister Modi said, “India of the 21st century will have to improve its public transport system rapidly. The quicker our public transport system becomes modern, the more will be the ease of living of the people. It will bring a significant change to their way of life. Modern trains are being introduced and Metro services are being expanded, new airports and ports are being constructed in line with our vision to take the country forward,” PM Modi said after flagging off the Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai.
“Our thinking bears ample reflection in the Union Budget. For the first time, Rs 10 lakh crore has been allocated for infrastructure development. This is five times more in comparison to the outlay in the last nine years,” he added.
The new and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express will run between Mumbai and Solapur and Mumbai and Sainagar Shirdi.
Mumbai-Solapur train, the ninth Vande Bharat train will connect the country’s commercial capital to the City of Textiles and Hutatmas in Maharashtra and ensure faster connectivity to pilgrimage centres such as Siddheshwar in Solapur, Akkalkot, Tuljapur, Pandharpur near Solapur and Alandi near Pune.
I am here as a family member, not PM: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, the principal educational institute of the Dawoodi Bohra Community.
PM Modi said he was attending the inauguration event as a family member and not as the prime minister. Addressing the inauguration function, PM Modi said he has been connected to the Dawoodi Bohra Community for four generations.
“Coming to you all feels like coming to a family. I saw your video today. I have a complaint. You repeatedly said prime minister or chief minister. I am your family member, am neither a prime minister here nor a chief minister. I consider myself fortunate that I have something that few have. I have been connected to this family for 4 generations. All 4 generations have visited my home,” PM Modi said.
Lauding the community, he further said that it has always stood the test of development.
“Today, the opening of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is a symbol of development with the changing times. The Dawoodi Bohra community has continually progressed with time. When there is good intent behind aspirations, the results will always be positive. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is an example of this,” PM Modi said.