Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs.5,500 crore in Rajasthan’s Nathdwara while also dedicating three national highway projects to the nation, including the 114 km long six-lane Udaipur to Shamlaji section of NH-48, the 110 km long widening and strengthening of the Bar-Bilara-Jodhpur section of NH-25, and a two-lane with paved shoulder section of NH 58E.
PM Modi arrived in Rajasthan on Wednesday morning and offered prayers at the Shrinathji temple in Nathdwara town of Rajsamand district.
The prime minister while addressing a programme Nathdwara, said governments in the past worked for short-term political gains and neglected development for which the country has paid a heavy price.
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Modi said his government is investing heavily and has speeded up rail, road, highways, airports and other infrastructure projects.
The programme was attended by state chief minister Ashok Gehlot, governor Kalraj Mishra, assembly speaker Dr CP Joshi, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president CP Joshi and other BJP MPs.
The PM said that the Centre was focused on the development of Rajasthan as he believes in the mantra of “development of the country through the development of states”.
“Under the BJP government, the economy has gained momentum. But some who have a vikrit (corrupted) ideology, who are filled with negativity, cannot appreciate anything good that is done. Their only agenda is to oppose development because they cannot think beyond vote bank politics,” Modi said.
“Those who weigh everything with votes can never bring policies for the development of the country,” he added.
Modi said basic development and modern infrastructure are required for long-term development but the country had to pay a heavy price for infrastructure not being made earlier.
He added that the central government is investing in infrastructure development and has allocated Rs10 lakh crore in this year’s budget for such works. “The direct benefit of infrastructure development goes region where such works are done… it brings development and employment… it benefits the people, the traders, the labourers,” Modi said.
The PM said Rajasthan is the bearer of India’s valour, heritage and culture. “When Rajasthan develops, it will drive development in the country. So our government is giving priority to modern infrastructure in Rajasthan,” he said.
Meanwhile, during chief minister Gehlot’s speech, Modi came to his rescue as the latter was unable to speak due to continuous “Modi Modi” chants.
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In his address, Gehlot urged the Centre to examine the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) project and take it forward so that water scarcity in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan could be addressed.
He also urged the PM to bring a “Right to Health and Social Security Act” to relieve the poor.
Gehlot also said the BJP and the Congress leaders were sitting together in the function and that was the strength of democracy. “We have no enmity. We have an ideological fight. Everyone has the freedom to put forth their views,” he said.
He said the government must respect the opposition because in a democracy, without the opposition, the government is nothing.
