Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and the Operation Control Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor through video conference. Union Minister, Piyush Goyal and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister expressed happiness on seeing the modern rail infrastructure project getting implemented on the ground. He said today when the first goods train runs in the Khurja Bhaupur freight corridor we can hear the roar of the self-reliant India. Prayagraj Operation Control centre is one of the modern control centres and a symbol of the new strength of the new India.
He said Infrastructure is the biggest source of any nation’s strength. India is moving fast towards the path of becoming a big economic power, then the best connectivity is the priority of the country. Government is working on every aspect of modern connectivity for the last six years with this in mind. Government is focussing on the five wheels of highways, railways, airways, waterways and i-ways. Today’s inauguration of a large section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is a big step in this direction.
Prime Minister stressed on the need for these dedicated freight corridors. As the population grew, Economy grew, the demand on freight increased manifold. Both Passenger trains and Goods trains ply on the same track, the speed of the goods train is slow. When the speed of the goods train is slow and there is interruption in place, obviously the cost of transportation will be high. Being expensive, our products lose the competition in our markets of the country as well as abroad. The Dedicated Freight Corridor was planned to change this situation. Initially 2 Dedicated Freight Corridors were planned. Eastern dedicated Freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni. This route has coal mines, Thermal power plants and industrial cities. Feeder routes are also being made for these. Western Dedicated Freight Corridor from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to Dadri. In this corridor, ports like Mundra, Kandla, Pipavav, Dawri and Hazira would be served through feeder routes. Industrial corridor of Delhi-Mumbai and Amritsar-Kolkata are being developed around both these Freight Corridor. North to south and East to west Corridors are also being planned.
He said with such dedicated freight corridors problems of delayed passenger trains would be resolved. Due to this speed of the freight train also would increase 3 times and would be able to carry double the volume of goods. When goods trains arrive on time the cost of our Logistics Network would be cheaper. When our goods will be cheaper, it would benefit our exports. It would create a better atmosphere, Ease of Doing business would increase and India would become an attractive place to invest and many new opportunities for self-employment will also be created.
Prime Minister said Industry, businessmen, farmers or consumers, everyone is going to benefit from this dedicated freight corridor. The freight corridor will boost the eastern India which is left behind industrially. About 60% of the corridor falls in UP. It would attract a lot of industries towards UP. Kisan Rail would be benefited due to this dedicated freight corridor. Farmers can send their produce through rail to any big markets across the country, safely and at a low price. Now through this Freight corridor their produce would reach even faster. In Uttar Pradesh a lot of Storage and cold storage facilities have come up due to Kisan Rail.
Modi urged to keep the development of the country’s infrastructure away from politics. Country’s infrastructure should be a mission to benefit many generations, not 5 years of politics. If political parties have to compete, there should be competition in the quality of infrastructure, competition on speed and scale. He advised against damaging public property during demonstrations and movements. He urged not to forget one’s obligation to the nation while expressing their democratic right.
