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People's power has the capacity to make a better society and nation: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | June 17, 2017 | 12:57 IST
Kerala has been a torch-bearer and inspiration to the whole nation in the field of literacy: PM Modi
Reading and knowledge should help develop habits of social responsibility, service to the nation and service to humanity: PM
Reading can help broaden one’s thinking. A well-read population will help India excel globally: PM Modi
Knowledge is the best guiding light, says Prime Minister Modi
I believe in people’s power. It has the capacity to make a better society and nation: PM Modi

It gives me great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the inauguration of reading month celebration. I thank and congratulate the P.N. Panicker foundation for organising this. There can be no joy greater than reading and no strength greater than knowledge.

 Friends.

Kerala has been a torch-bearer and inspiration to the whole nation in the field of literacy.

The first 100 percent literate city and first 100 percent literate district have been from Kerala. Kerala was also the first state to attain 100 percent primary education. Some of the oldest colleges, schools and libraries of the country are also situated in Kerala.

This could not have been achieved by Government alone. Citizens and social organizations have played an active role in this remarkable achievement. Kerala has set an example in people’s participation in this regard. I admire the work of people like late Shri P.N. Panicker and his foundation. Shri P.N. Panicker was also the driving spirit behind the library network in Kerala. He did this through Kerala Grandhasala Sangham set up by him in 1945 with 47 rural libraries. 

 I believe that reading and knowledge should not be limited only to work related aspects. It should help develop habits of social responsibility, service to the nation and service to humanity. It should cure the evils in society and nation. It should spread the idea of peace along with respect for unity and integrity of the nation.

It is said that one literate woman can educate two families. Kerala has set an example worthy of emulation in this regard.

I learn that PN Panicker Foundation together with a number of Government agencies, private sector entities and civil society organisations, is leading an initiative of reading.

Their target is to reach 300 million under-privileged people by 2022. The main objective of this mission is to promote reading as a means to grow and prosper.

Reading can help broaden one’s thinking. A well-read population will help India excel globally. 

With the same spirit, I had started a similar movement by name of VANCHE GUJARAT when I was Chief Minister of the State. It means “Gujarat Reads”. I had visited a public library to motivate people to read. The movement targeted the young generation, in particular. I also requested citizens to think about building a ‘Granth-Mandir’ - a temple of books - in their village. This could be started with 50 or 100 books.

I appealed to people to give a book instead of bouquet as a greeting. Such a move can make a big difference.

Friends!

From the time of the Upanishads persons with knowledge have been respected through the ages. We are now in the information age. Even today, knowledge is the best guiding light.

I am told that as a pilot project of Digital Libraries, Panicker Foundation is working with 18 public libraries in the state in collaboration with Indian Public Library Movement, New Delhi.

I would like to see such a reading and library movement in the entire country. The movement should not be limited to make people literate. It should try to achieve the real goal of bringing social and economic change. The foundation of good knowledge should be followed by a super-structure of a better society.

I am happy to note that the State Government has announced 19th June as the reading day. Obviously, a lot of effort will converge to make this a popular activity.

The Government of India has also provided support to the activities of the foundation. I am told that about 1.20 crore rupees have been given to the foundation in the last two years.

I am also happy to see that the foundation is now focusing on digital literacy. This is the need of the hour.

Friends!

I believe in people’s power. It has the capacity to make a better society and nation.

I urge every young person in the audience to take a pledge of reading. And enable everyone to do so.

Together, we can once again make India a land of wisdom and knowledge. Thank You!

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Cabinet approves two railway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh worth Rs 24,815 crore
April 18, 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved 02 (Two) projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 24,815 crore (approx.). These projects include:

Name of Project

Route Length (in km)

Track Length (in km)

Completion Cost (Rs. in Cr.)

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line

403

859

14,926

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line

 

198

 

458

 

9,889

Total

601

1,317

24,815

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The 02 (Two) projects covering 15 Districts across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 601 Kms.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), Naimisharanya (Sitapur), Annavaram, Antarvedi, Draksharamam, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron and steel, container, fertilizers, sugar, chemical salts, limestone, etc. The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country lowering CO2 emissions (180.31Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 7.33 Crore trees.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

  • Ghaziabad – Sitapur is an existing double line section forming a key part of Delhi- Guwahati High Density Network (HDN 4).
  • The project is crucial for improving connectivity between the Northern and Eastern region of the country.
  • The existing line capacity utilization of the section is up to 168% and is projected to be up to 207% in case the project is not taken up.
  • Transverses through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Sahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The project route passes through major industrial centres - Ghaziabad (machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals), Moradabad (brassware and handicrafts), Bareilly (furniture, textiles, engineering), Shahjahanpur (carpets and cement-related industries), and Roza (thermal power plant).
  • For seamless transportation, the project alignment is planned to bypass congested stations of Hapur, Simbhaoli, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Sitapur and accordingly, six new stations are proposed on the bypassing sections.
  • Key tourist/religious places along/near to the project section are Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), and Naimisharanya (Sitapur) among others.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 35.72 MTPA consisting of Coal, Foodgrains, Chemical Manures, Finished Steel, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.14,926 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 274 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 128.77 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 5.15 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 2,877.46 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

  • Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) section forms part of the Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN).
  • The proposed project is part of quadrupling initiative of Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN) route.
  • The project traverses through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Vishakapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Visakhapatnam is identified as an Aspirational District in the Aspirational Districts Programme.
  • It provides connectivity to major ports along the East Coast such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
  • The project route runs along the eastern coastline and is among the busiest, predominantly freight-oriented sections of the East Coast Rail Corridor.
  • The line capacity utilization of the section has already reached up to 130%, leading to frequent congestion and operational delays. The line capacity is expected to increase further due to proposed expansion of ports and industries in the region.
  • Project section includes 4.3 km rail bridge over Godavari River, 2.67 km viaduct, 3 bypasses and the new alignment is around 8 km shorter than the existing route, improving connectivity and operational efficiency.
  • The proposed section will also boost tourism by improving access to key destinations such as Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam etc.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 29.04 MTPA consisting of Coal, Cement, Chemical Manures, Iron and Steel, Foodgrains, Containers, Bauxite, Gypsum, Limestone, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.9,889 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 135 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 51.49 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 2.06 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 1,150.56 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

 

आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण:

Aspirational districts - Visakhapatnam district will get improved connectivity

Additional economic opportunities in the region through tourism & industries.

Better healthcare and education for the citizens due to enhanced rail connectivity.


Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

Prime Minister’s focus on railways:

  • Record budget allocation of Rs. 2,65,000 crore for FY 26-27.
  • Manufacturing more than 1600 locomotives- surpassed US and Europe in manufacturing of locomotive production
  • In FY 26, Indian Railways is expected to rank among the top three freight carriers globally, moving 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo.

  • India starts exporting metro coaches to Australia and bogie to United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France and Australia.