Prime Minister reviews Preparedness of Public Health Response to COVID-19

Published By : Admin | April 17, 2021 | 21:37 IST
There is no substitute to testing, tracking and treatment: PM
All necessary measures must be taken to ramp up the availability of hospital beds for Covid patients: PM
Local administrations need to be proactive and sensitive to people’s concerns: PM
PM reviewed the status of supply of Remdesivir and other medicines
Installation of approved medical oxygen plants should be accelerated: PM
Utilize the entire national capacity to ramp up vaccine production: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the status of preparedness to handle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Various aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination were discussed.

The Prime Minister said that together India had defeated Covid last year & India can do it again, with the same principles but faster speed and coordination.

The PM stressed that there is no substitute to testing, tracking and treatment. Early testing and proper tracking remains key to reduce mortality. He also said that local administrations need to be proactive and sensitive to people’s concerns.

The Prime Minister directed that close coordination with States must be ensured in handling the pandemic. He said that all necessary measures must be taken to ramp up the availability of hospital beds for Covid patients. The Prime Minister also directed that additional supply of beds through temporary hospitals and isolation centres should be ensured.

PM spoke about the need to utilize the full potential of India’s pharmaceutical industry to meet the rising demand of various medicines. He reviewed the status of supply of Remdesivir and other medicines. The Prime Minister was briefed on actions taken to address the issue of availability of Remdesivir. Through the efforts of the Government, capacity and production augmentation for manufacturing of Remdesivir has been ramped up to provide around 74.10 lakh vials/month in May while the normal production output in January-February being just 27-29 lakh vials/month. Supplies have also increased from 67,900 vials on 11th April going up to over 2,06,000 vials on 15th April 2021 which are being particularly focused on states with high caseload and high demand. He took note of the ramped up production capacity, and directed that issues relating to real-time supply chain management to States must be resolved urgently in coordination with the States. The Prime Minister directed that use of Remdesivir and other medicines must be in accordance with approved medical guidelines, and that their misuse and black marketing must be strictly curbed.

On the issue of supply of medical oxygen, the Prime Minister directed that the installation of approved medical oxygen plants should be sped up. 162 PSA Oxygen plants are being installed in 32 States/UTs from PM CARES. The officers informed that 1 lakh cylinders are being procured & they will be supplied to states soon. The officers briefed the PM that they are in constant supply with 12 high burden states in assessing the current and future requirement of medical oxygen. A supply mapping plan for 12 high burden states till 30th April has also been undertaken. The Prime Minister also said that supply of oxygen required for production of medicines and equipment necessary to handle the pandemic should also be ensured.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the status of availability & supply of ventilators. The Prime Minister noted that a real time monitoring system has been created, and directed that concerned State governments should be sensitized to use the system proactively.

On the issue of vaccination, the Prime Minister directed all officials to make efforts to utilize the entire national capacity, in public as well as private sector, to ramp up vaccine production.

He was joined by Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM, Union Home Secretary, Union Health Secretary, Pharma Secretary. Dr V K Paul, Niti Aayog was also present.

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PM to visit Rajasthan and Gujarat on 4 July
July 03, 2026
PM to dedicate, inaugurate, and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹1.06 lakh crore in Balotra
Projects span across sectors including petrochemicals, urban transport, railways, roads, renewable energy and power transmission
PM to dedicate India’s first greenfield integrated Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra in Balotra
The state-of-the-art complex integrates refining and petrochemical production; has been established with an investment of over ₹79,450 crore
PM to lay the foundation stone for Phase 2 of the Jaipur Metro Rail Project
PM to launch the Modified UDAN scheme in Jodhpur
PM to inaugurate the Terminal Building of Jodhpur Airport
Marking a significant milestone in India's semiconductor manufacturing journey, PM to inaugurate CG Semi OSAT facility in Sanand, Ahmedabad
CG Semi plant to feature one of India's first end-to-end OSAT facilities offering semiconductor assembly and test services
Once fully ramped up, the facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 5 billion semiconductor chips

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan and Gujarat on 4 July 2026. At around 10:45 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Terminal Building of Jodhpur Airport and launch the Modified UDAN scheme in Jodhpur. Subsequently, at around 12:15 PM, he will travel to Balotra to dedicate, inaugurate, and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹1.06 lakh crore. He will also address a public gathering on the occasion.

Thereafter, Prime Minister will travel to Gujarat. At around 4:30 PM, Prime Minister will inaugurate the CG SEMI Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) Facility in Sanand, Ahmedabad. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

PM in Jodhpur

In a major boost to the aviation sector, with a particular focus on regional connectivity, Prime Minister will launch the Modified UDAN Scheme in Jodhpur. This marks a significant leap forward in India's civil aviation landscape and will further advance the vision of "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik". With an allocation of ₹28,840 crore over the next 10 years, the scheme aims to accelerate the next phase of aviation-led development. It focuses on multiple strategic components designed to ensure comprehensive and sustainable connectivity.

A key emphasis is on the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips, supported by an outlay of over ₹12,000 crore, to expand aviation infrastructure across the country. In addition, over ₹2,500 crore has been earmarked for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support to ensure the viability of regional airports during their initial years of operation. To address accessibility challenges in remote and difficult terrains, the scheme also proposes the development of 200 modern helipads.

The scheme also continues Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support of over ₹10,000 crore for airlines, ensuring sustained regional operations while encouraging gradual commercial viability. Further strengthening the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the initiative includes the procurement of indigenous aircraft and helicopters, such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, to enhance connectivity and operations in underserved regions.

During the programme, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport. The project has been developed at a total cost of ₹480 crore. Spread over an area of more than 23,000 sqm., the New Terminal Building is designed to handle up to 20 lakh passengers annually. It is equipped with modern passenger amenities to ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience.

Architecturally inspired by Rajasthan's royal heritage, the terminal seamlessly blends traditional elements such as arches and jharokhas with contemporary design. Sustainability has been integral to the terminal's design, with features such as energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and green building practices aimed at achieving a 5-Star GRIHA rating. The inauguration of the New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport will provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, and employment generation in the region.

PM in Balotra

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth around ₹1.06 lakh crore in Balotra. These projects span multiple sectors, including petrochemicals, urban transport, railways, roads, renewable energy, and power transmission

Prime Minister will dedicate India's first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex to the nation at Pachpadra in Balotra, marking a landmark achievement in the country's energy and petrochemical sector.

Developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, the 9 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) Greenfield Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex has been established with an investment of over ₹79,450 crore.

The state-of-the-art complex integrates refining and petrochemical production, with a petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA. The refinery features a high Nelson Complexity Index of 17.0 and petrochemical yields exceeding 26%, aligning with global benchmarks for efficiency and sustainability.

The project is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening India's energy security, enhancing petrochemical self-sufficiency, and driving industrial growth. It will serve as an anchor industry for the development of a Petrochemical and Plastic Park in the region, promoting downstream industries and ancillary sectors. Additionally, the refinery is poised to generate significant employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for Phase 2 of the Jaipur Metro Rail Project, which has a total cost of over ₹13,000 crore. Under Phase 2, a 41-km north-south metro corridor will be developed from Prahladpura to Todi Mod, connecting the industrial and residential areas of Sitapura and Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI) through 36 stations. The corridor will provide seamless connectivity to key locations, including the Sitapura Industrial Area, VKI, Jaipur Airport, Tonk Road, SMS Hospital, SMS Stadium, Ambabari, and Vidyadhar Nagar. The project will significantly improve connectivity to Jaipur's major industrial and residential areas, providing residents with faster, safer, and more convenient public transport. Under Phase 1, an 11.64-km metro corridor with 11 stations is already operational.

Prime Minister will further dedicate to the nation the Churu–Sadulpur (58 km) and Churu–Ratangarh (46 km) rail doubling projects, constructed at a cost of around ₹900 crore. Spanning a total length of 104 km, these projects will strengthen rail connectivity in north-west Rajasthan. They will enhance rail line capacity, enabling smoother, safer, and more punctual operation of both passenger and freight trains while easing congestion on the rail network. The projects will also provide impetus to investment, employment generation, and industrial development in the region.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the four-laning of NH-125A, Jodhpur Ring Road Section-2 (Karwar–Dangiyawas). Developed at a cost of about ₹740 crore, the project will improve regional connectivity around Jodhpur and make travel smoother and safer.

Further, Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation SJVN Limited's 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Energy Project, developed with an investment of about ₹5,500 crore. The project uses 24.22 lakh domestically manufactured solar modules. The Prime Minister will also dedicate NHPC's 300 MW Karnisar Bikaner Solar Energy Plant. The project uses about 7.75 lakh domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the transmission line constructed at a cost of over ₹1,900 crore for power evacuation from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and lay the foundation stone for the 530 km-long power transmission system for the Rajasthan REZ. These transmission systems will facilitate the evacuation of renewable energy generated in Rajasthan and help ensure an uninterrupted power supply in the state.

Prime Minister will also hand over appointment letters to around 54,000 youth recruited across various departments of the Government of Rajasthan. The recruits include personnel from the Departments of Education, Energy, Home, Panchayati Raj, Transport, Higher Education, Skill Development, Planning, Agriculture, Information Technology, and Administrative Reforms.

PM in Sanand

Prime Minister will inaugurate the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in India's semiconductor manufacturing journey with the commencement of commercial production at the facility. It represents a major step forward in strengthening India's position in the global semiconductor value chain. The project is one of the first four approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and has been developed with a total investment of over ₹7,500 crore.

Once fully ramped up, the facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 5 billion semiconductor chips and will help address the growing global demand for memory and storage solutions driven by rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing. The facility will cater to customers across the automotive, industrial, telecommunications, 5G, and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors. The CG Semi facility offers end-to-end semiconductor assembly and testing services, including wafer sorting, assembly, testing, package design, failure analysis, test programme development, product characterisation, and logistics support.

The operationalisation of this facility underscores India's emergence as a trusted and self-reliant semiconductor manufacturing destination and aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of building a resilient and self-reliant technology ecosystem in the country.