Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the Centre has identified 17 cities across the nation to be developed as solar cities. He was inaugurating the 4th Global Re-Invest Renewable Energy Investors Meet at Mahatma Gandhi Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The three-day meet is witnessing participation from across the country and abroad.
Modi said that Modhera in Gujarat is the first solar village of the country and work to make Ayodhya the model solar city is almost over. He said their efforts are to see that offices and homes run on solar power. The Prime Minister added that 17 cities have been identified to be developed as solar cities.
The Prime Minister said that the 140 crore population of the country was working towards taking India in the top three economies of the world. He observed that the event in Gandhinagar should not be seen as an isolated event. He said that it is part of a big mission. It is part of an action plan to make India a developed Nation by 2047
Modi said it is after 60 years that the people of India have given a third term to any government and behind it is India’s aspirations. He said that the poor, dalits, marginalised and the oppressed have a guarantee that they would be able to lead lives with dignity in the third term.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the first 100 days of his government have been a trailer of their priorities, speed and scale. “We have addressed each sector that is necessary for the fast development of India,” he said.
Modi spoke about new industrial cities, high speed rail corridors and wind energy projects. He held that the world feels that India is the best bet of the 21st Century.
The Prime Minister said that today’s India is creating a base for the coming 1000 years. “Our aim is to not only reach the top but to sustain it,” he said, adding that India knows what its energy needs are. Modi pointed out that India knows that it does not have oil and gas reserves and it is not energy independent and hence the focus is on solar, green and nuclear energy.
Modi also spoke about the ambitious plan of making Indian Railway net zero by the end of the decade. For those who do not know the importance of it, the PM said 1 crore to 1.5 crore people travel by Indian Railways.
He made a mention that Gujarat was one of the first states to make a climate change department and when it had solar power plants when solar power was not discussed much.
Talking about Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said his life was about minimum carbon footprint. Gandhi’s vision was from India’s tradition. For Indians, green future and net zero are not fancy words, but it is India’s commitment and commitment to all state governments.
Before the programme at Mahatma Gandhi Mandir, Modi visited a housing society in Vavol, Gandhinagar. He interacted with people who have solar roof tops.
Later during the day, the PM will inaugurate and dedicate projects worth crores of rupees. He will also inaugurate the metro connectivity between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Earlier on Sunday evening, Modi was welcomed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
This is Modi’s first visit to his home state Gujarat after becoming the Prime Minister for the third time.
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