“Apart from Nature and pleasure, Goa also signifies a new model of development, reflection of collective efforts and solidarity for development from Panchayat to Administration”
“Goa has achieved 100% in all major schemes such as ODF, electricity, piped water, ration to poor”
“ Swayampurna Goa is the result of new team spirit of Team Goa”
“Infrastructure being developed in Goa will also help in increasing the income of farmers, livestock farmers and our fishermen”
“States with tourism focus got special attention in vaccination drive and Goa benefited a great deal by that”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries and stakeholders of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa programme via video conferencing.

The Prime Minister while interacting with Smt Isha Savant, Under Secretary to Government of Goa asked her experience of working as a Swayampoorna Mitra. She informed that beneficiaries are getting services and solutions at their doorstep. There is ease as there are single-point service windows. When the Prime Minister asked about use of technology, she informed that technology was used as data was collected in a collaborative manner. This enabled the mapping of needed facilities, she said.

Regarding women empowerment, the Prime Minister was informed that through training and self help group mechanism, women were provided equipment and support with regard to social media marketing and branding. Atal Incubation groups were also used. The Prime Minister recalled his Chief Minister days and talked about training members of women self help groups for services like serving food, catering etc via training and creating an enabling environment. The Prime Minister suggested that apart from products, services also have great potential. The Prime Minister exhorted the bureaucracy to be sensitive and innovative and lauded such officers.

Shri Constancio Miranda, ex headmaster and a sarpanch informed the Prime MInister that the Swayampurna campaign helped new activities in achieving the goals of AatmaNirbharta in various fields. They identified need-based state and central schemes and went on working on them in a coordinated manner. The Prime Minister lauded him for completing long pending works and said that the government is also working to complete long pending works that were ignored for a long period after independence.

The Prime Minister talked to Shri Kundan Falari who informed that he and the local administration are geared to reach the last person in the community. He narrated his experience of popularizing the SVANIDHI scheme in his area. The Prime Minister enquired whether these street vendors are using digital transaction as the beauty of the scheme is that use of digital transaction creates a transaction history which enables banks to give increasingly better finances to them. The Prime Minister informed that as part of 60 years' of Goa Liberation, a special grant of 50 lakh per Panchayat and 1 crore for every Municipality is being provided by the central government to Goa. The Prime Minister talked about the government efforts of financial inclusion and said that people should be encouraged to avail government schemes.

Shri Luis Cardozo, an entrepreneur in fisheries, narrated his story of getting benefits from government schemes and using insulated vehicles. The Prime Minister talked of Kisan Credit card, NAVIC app, finances for boats, the schemes that are helping the fishermen community. The Prime Minister conveyed his desire for expansion of processed products instead of raw produce for more profit for fishermen and farmers.

Shri Ruki Ahmed Rajasab informed about the measures taken for divyang jan under Swayampurna. The Prime Minister said that the government is working for the dignity and ease of the Divyang Jan. He remembered efforts like standardization of the facilities and success of the Para Athletes in the recent paralympics.

Talking to Smt Nishita Namdev Gawas, head of Self Help Group, the Prime Minister asked about the products of the group and the ways they do the marketing of their products. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is undertaking schemes like Ujjwala, Swachch Bharat, PM Awas, Jan Dhan to enhance dignity and confidence of the women. Women are bringing laureles in every field be it the Armed forces sports field, said the Prime Minister.

With Shri Durgesh M Shirodkar the Prime Minister discussed his group's dairy activities. He said that his group took advantage of the Kisan Credit Card. They also made other farmers and dairy entrepreneurs aware about the facility. The Prime Minister appreciated Shri Shirodkar’s effort to popularize the Kisan Credit Card scheme. The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to make an ecosystem from seed to market to help increase their income. He said schemes like Kisan Credit card, soil health card, neem coating of urea, e NAM, authentic seeds, MSP purchase, New Agriculture laws are efforts in that direction.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister remarked Goa signifies pleasure, Goa signifies nature, Goa signifies tourism. But today he added that Goa also signifies a new model of development, reflection of collective efforts and solidarity for development from Panchayat to Administration.

Commenting on Goa’s stellar performance in implementing central government schemes, the Prime Minister said India set the goal of being free from open defecation. Goa achieved this target 100%. The country set a target of providing electricity connection to every household. Goa has achieved the goal 100%. In Har Ghar Jal Abhiyan – Goa has become the first state to achieve 100% implementation. In the matter of giving free ration to the poor – Goa has achieved 100 %, the Prime Minister appreciated.

The Prime Minister said, for the convenience and dignity of women, Goa is successfully implementing the schemes of the Union government on the ground and is also expanding them. He lauded the Government of Goa for doing a great job in providing facilities like toilets, Ujjwala gas connections or Jan Dhan bank accounts to women.

The Prime Minister remembered Late Manohar Parrikar who had taken Goa on the path of progress. He lauded the current Chief Minister and his team for sincerely taking the project of Goa’s growth forward and giving new heights to Goa. Today Goa is moving ahead with renewed confidence. Double engine government is working with energy and determination for the growth of the state. The result of this new team spirit of Team Goa is the resolve of Swayampurna Goa, Shri Modi emphasized.

The Prime Minister said the infrastructure being developed in Goa will also help in increasing the income of farmers, livestock farmers and our fishermen. He added that Goa's fund for modernization of rural infrastructure has been increased 5 fold this year as compared to earlier.

The Prime Minister said incentives are being given at every level from various ministries for modernization of fishermen's boats. He added that the fishermen in Goa are getting a lot of help under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana also.

About the vaccination campaign, the Prime Minister said that special incentives have been given to the tourism based states in the country, including Goa. Goa has also benefited a lot from this. He lauded the Government of Goa for taking efforts day and night in administering the first dose of vaccine to all the eligible people.

 

 

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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.