Published By : Admin |
September 5, 2024 | 11:00 IST
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Respected dignitaries, distinguish guests and my dear friends, my warm greetings to all of you. I am glad to welcome you all to the first International Solar Festival. I congratulate the International Solar Alliance for this wonderful initiative.
Friends,
The Vedas were texts composed thousands of years ago. One of the most popular mantras of the Vedas each about the sun. Even today millions of Indians chant it daily. Many cultures across the world have respected the sun in their own ways. Most regions also have festivals related to the sun. This International Solar Festival brings the whole world together to celebrate the Sun’s impact. This is a festival that will help us build a better planet.
Friends,
In 2015, the ISA began as a small sapling, it was a moment of hope and aspiration. Today it is growing into giant tree inspiring policy and action. In such a short time, the Membership of ISA have reached a milestone of hundred countries. Additionally, 19 more countries are ratifying the framework agreement for attaining full membership. The growth of this organization is important for the vision of ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid.’
Friends,
In the past few years, India has taken many massive strides in green energy. We were the first G20 Nation to achieve the Paris commitments in renewable energy. The remarkable growth of solar energy is a key reason in making this possible. Our solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years. This speed and scale will also help us achieve five hundred (500) gigawatt non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Friends,
India’s growth in the solar sector is the result of a clear approach. Whether in India or in the world, the mantra to increase solar adoption is awareness, availability and affordability. The increased awareness about the need of sustainable energy sources by encouraging domestic manufacturing in the solar sector we increase availability. Through specific schemes and incentives, we also made the solar option affordable.
Friends,
ISA is an ideal platform for exchanging ideas and best practices for solar adoption. India has a lot to share as well. let me give you an example for a recent policy intervention. A few months ago, we launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. We are investing Rupees 750 billion in this scheme. Our target is to help 10 million households to install their own rooftop solar panels. We are transferring financial assistance directly to the people’s bank accounts. Low interest, collateral free loans are also being enabled in case additional finance is needed. Now, these households are generating clean electricity for their needs. Moreover, they will also be able to sell excess power to the grid and earn money. Due to the incentives and potential earnings, this scheme is becoming popular. Solar energy is being seen as an affordable and attractive option. I am sure many nations have similar valuable insights derived from their work on energy transition.
Friends,
In a short time, the ISA has made a lot of progress. In 44 countries, it has assisted in developing nearly 10 gigawatt of electricity. The Alliance has also played a role in bringing down the global prices of solar pumps. Private sector investment is being enabled, especially in African member countries. A number of promising solar startups from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and India are being encouraged. This initiative will also be expanded to Latin America and the Caribbean soon. These are noteworthy steps in the right direction.
Friends,
To ensure an energy transition, the world must collectively discuss some important matters. The imbalance in concentration of green energy investments need to be addressed. Manufacturing and technology need to be democratised to help developing countries. Empowering Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States should be a top priority. Inclusion of marginalised communities, women and youth is crucial. I am confident that the International Solar Festival will enable discussions in such matters.
Friends,
India is committed to work with the world for a green future. During the G20 last year, we led the creation of the Global Biofuels Alliance. We are also one of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance. Every effort to build an inclusive, clean and green planet will have India’s support.
Once again, I welcome you all to the International Solar Festival. May the Sun's energy guide the world towards a sustainable future.
PM Modi inaugurates Phase I of Noida International Airport, developed with an investment of around ₹11,200 crore
March 28, 2026
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The inauguration of Phase-I of Noida International Airport marks a major step in Uttar Pradesh’s growth story and India’s aviation future: PM
UP has now emerged as one of the states with the highest number of international airports in India: PM
Airports are not just basic facilities in any country, they give wings to progress: PM
Our government is making unprecedented investments in modern infrastructure to build a Viksit Bharat: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. Expressing his pride and joy on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that today marks a new chapter in the Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat Abhiyan. He noted that India's largest state has now become one of the states with the highest number of international airports. PM Modi shared that he felt doubly proud , first, for having laid the foundation stone of this airport and now inaugurating it, and second, because the name of this grand airport is linked to Uttar Pradesh. "This is the state that chose me as its representative and made me a Member of Parliament, and its identity is now associated with this magnificent airport," remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting the far-reaching impact of the new airport, the Prime Minister said that the Noida airport will benefit a vast region encompassing Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, Bulandshahr, and Faridabad. He emphasised that the airport will bring numerous new opportunities for the farmers, small and medium enterprises, and the youth of western Uttar Pradesh. "Aircraft will fly from here to the world, and this airport will also become a symbol of a developed Uttar Pradesh taking flight," said Shri Modi, extending his heartfelt congratulations to the people of the state, especially western UP.
Speaking about the current global situation, the Prime Minister observed that the entire world is deeply concerned today, with a war raging in West Asia for over a month, creating crises of essential commodities including food, petrol, diesel, gas, and fertilizers in many countries. He noted that India imports a very large quantity of crude oil and gas from the conflict-affected region. "The Government is taking every possible step to ensure that the burden of this crisis does not fall on ordinary families and farmers," affirmed Shri Modi.
Underscoring India's continued momentum of rapid development even during times of global crisis, the Prime Minister noted that in Western Uttar Pradesh alone, this is the fourth major project to be either inaugurated or have its foundation stone laid in recent weeks. "During this period, the foundation stone of a major semiconductor factory in Noida was laid, the country's first Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train gained speed, the Meerut Metro was expanded, and today the Noida International Airport is being inaugurated," highlighted PM Modi.
The Prime Minister credited the current Government for these remarkable achievements in UP's development. He noted that the semiconductor factory is making India self-reliant in technology, the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat Rail are providing fast and smart connectivity, and the Jewar Airport is connecting entire North India to the world. " Today under the current government, the same Noida is becoming a powerful engine of UP's development," asserted Shri Modi.
Elaborating on the history of the airport project, The Prime Minister recalled that the Jewar Airport was approved by Atal ji as early as 2003. And as soon as the current government was formed here, the foundation was laid, construction happened, and now it has started operations," said Shri Modi.
Drawing attention to the region's emerging role as a logistics hub, the Prime Minister pointed out that this area is becoming the hub of two major freight corridors , special railway tracks laid for goods trains, which have enhanced North India's connectivity with the seas of Bengal and Gujarat. He noted that Dadri is the strategic point where both these corridors converge, meaning whatever farmers grow and industries produce here can now reach every corner of the world swiftly, by land and by air. "This kind of multi-modal connectivity is making UP a major attraction for investors worldwide," explained PM Modi.
Addressing the transformation of the region's image, the Prime Minister said. "Today, Noida is ready to welcome the entire world. This whole area is strengthening the resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the farmers who gave up their lands to make this project a reality, noting that agriculture and farming hold great importance in the region's economy. Shri Modi noted that the expansion of modern connectivity will further boost food processing prospects in Western UP, adding, "The agricultural produce from here will now reach global markets more efficiently."
Acknowledging the contribution of sugarcane farmers to reducing India's dependence on crude oil, the Prime Minister highlighted the significant role of ethanol produced from sugarcane. PM Modi highlighted that without the increase in ethanol production and its blending with petrol, India would have had to import an additional four and a half crore barrels,approximately 700 crore litres of crude oil annually, adding, "The hard work of our farmers has given the country this enormous relief during the time of crisis."
The Prime Minister further elaborated that ethanol has not only benefited the nation but has also greatly benefited farmers, with approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth of foreign exchange being saved. He recalled the earlier days when sugarcane farmers had to wait for years for their dues. "Today, thanks to the efforts of the current Government, the condition of sugarcane farmers has improved significantly," affirmed Shri Modi.
Emphasizing that airports are not merely amenities but catalysts for progress, the Prime Minister pointed out the remarkable expansion of India's aviation infrastructure. Highlighting that today, there are more than 160 airports, PM Modi remarked that the Air connectivity is now reaching not just metropolitan cities but also smaller towns. “ The current government has made air travel accessible for the common Indian," asserted Shri Modi, adding that the number of airports in Uttar Pradesh has been increased to seventeen.
Highlighting the impact of the UDAN scheme, the Prime Minister said that the government has consistently strived to ensure that while airports are built, airfares remain within the reach of ordinary families. Noting that more than one crore sixty lakh citizens have travelled by air at affordable rates by booking tickets under the UDAN scheme, Shri Modi remarked, “ Recently, the Central Government has further expanded the UDAN scheme with an approval of approximately Rs 29,000 crore, under which 100 new airports and 200 new helipads will be built in smaller cities in the coming years. UP will also benefit immensely from this."
Speaking about India's rapidly growing aviation sector, the Prime Minister noted that as new airports are being built, the demand for new aircraft is also rising, with various airlines placing orders for hundreds of new planes. Shri Modi observed that this creates tremendous opportunities for the youth, including pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance professionals, adding that "our government is also expanding training facilities in the aviation sector" to meet this growing demand.
Addressing a critical gap in India's aviation ecosystem, the Prime Minister drew attention to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, noting that 85 per cent of Indian aircraft still have to go abroad for MRO services. PM Modi noted that the government has resolved to make India self-reliant in the MRO sector as well and highlighted that today, the foundation stone of an MRO facility has been laid here at Jewar. “When ready, it will serve aircraft from India and abroad , generating revenue for the country, keeping our money within India, and creating numerous jobs for the youth," announced Shri Modi.
Underlining the government's priority of ensuring citizen convenience and saving their time and money, the Prime Minister spoke about the expansion of modern rail services such as Metro and Vande Bharat. "The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Rail has already been used by over two and a half crore passengers. The journey between Delhi and Meerut that used to take hours is now completed in minutes," said PM Modi.
Underscoring the unprecedented investment in modern infrastructure for a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister shared that over the past eleven years, the infrastructure budget has been increased more than six-fold, with Rs 17 lakh crore spent on highways and expressways and over one lakh kilometres of highways constructed. He noted that railway electrification has expanded from 20,000 kilometres before 2014 to over 40,000 kilometres since then, with nearly 100 per cent of the broad-gauge network now electrified. The Prime Minister highlighted that for the first time, the Kashmir Valley and the capitals of the North-East are being connected to the rail network, while port capacity has more than doubled in the past decade and the number of inland waterways continues to grow. "India is working at a rapid pace in every sector necessary for building a Viksit Bharat," stated Shri Modi.
Calling for collective effort and national unity in the face of global challenges, the Prime Minister said he had spoken at length in Parliament and held detailed discussions with Chief Ministers about tackling the crisis arising from the ongoing conflict. He appealed to the people to face this crisis with a calm mind and patience, calling it the greatest strength of Indians. PM Modi reiterated that what is in the interest of Indians and in the interest of India, that alone is the policy and strategy of the Government of India." I am fully confident that all political parties will lend strength to the country's united efforts”, concluded Shri Modi.
UP has now emerged as one of the states with the highest number of international airports in India. pic.twitter.com/6KW3flH1EG
