The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to construct a 3rd railway line between Allahabad – Mughalsarai (now Pt. DeenDayal Upadhyaya Jn.) (Length 150 km) with an estimated cost of Rs. 2649.44 crore. The project will be completed by 2023-24 and will be executed by Construction Organization of North Central.

The project will help cope up with the future traffic and remove capacity constraints. At present number of passenger and goods trains in this section are far more than its capacity, resulting in heavy detention to trains. This project will enhance capacity, reduce detention and cater for future growth of traffic. Construction of approved third Line between Allahabad and Mughalsarai will also ease traffic congestion at Chheoki, Naini and improve the punctuality of goods and passenger trains on vital route connecting National capital.

This project will also generate direct employment during construction for about 36 lakh mandays.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1579120

Government has granted final approval to National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Kalinganagar, Jajpur district, Odisha. On the receipt of proposals from State Government, the concerned central Ministries/Departments have undertaken steps for creation/upgradation of external infrastructure linkages.

Road Connectivity

• Paradip-Kalinganagar section improvement (Length-121 Kms): Upgradation from 2-lane carriageway to 6-lane carriageway of NH-200 between Chandikhole to KNIMZ and 4-lane carriageway to 6-lane carriageway of NH-5A between Chandikhole to Paradip Port are in progress.
• Expansion of NH53/200 in and around KNIMZ (Lengh-132.36 Kms): Improvement of the stretch Talcher-Duburi-Chandikhole to Four lane standard has been awarded in three packages on EPC mode to Contractual agencies. Appointed date/Commencement date has been declared for two packages namely, Talcher to Kamakhyanagar Section and Kamakhyanagar to Duburi section as 21.02.2019 and 23.02.2019, respectively.
• Expansion of Brahmani River bridge: Initially it has been decided to upgrade existing 2 lanes bridge with 6 lane bridge to cater the traffic. This work has been included in the rehabilitation and upgradation work of Chandikhole to Duburi Section of NH200 to 4 lanes.  Now, the existing 2-lane bridge is to be retained and new 3-lane bridge to be constructed on river Brahmani in the new carriageway as part of the scope of work.
• Expansion of NH 215 from Jajpur Road to Panikoili: The road from Jajpur Road to Panikoili section of NH-215 has already been widened to 4-lane standard under 4 laning work of Panikoili- Rimuli Project section executed on BOT(Toll) mode.

Rail Connectivity

• A Broad Gauge railway line of 104.24 Km in State of Odisha, between Angul and Sukinda (Districts Angul&Jajpur respectively) is being constructed, which provides a direct link between iron-ore rich areas of Odisha (Joda- Barbil) to steel and sponge iron industries in Angul region and will also provide alternative route between coal mining belt of Talcher to coal based thermal power plant in Kalinganagar Industrial areas.
• The execution of Angul-Sukinda new line project is being done by a SPV named “Angul- Sukinda Railway Limited (ASRL)” under participative scheme of Ministry of Railways.

Waterways Connectivity

• To improve waterways connectivity between Kalinganagar and Paradeep andDhamra Ports, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of National Waterway – 5 (including above stretches) in Odisha has been undertaken and development of an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal in the south of KNIMZ near Pankapal village has been planned to meet external infrastructure linkages requirement for NIMZ at Kalinganagar, Jajpur district in Odisha.
• Paradip Port has developed a new berth of capacity 5 MMTPA with Ancillary Facilities for handling clean cargo, including containers. The facilities at the Terminal include 450M Berth, paved storage area of about 1 Lakh SQM and a warehouse complex of 600M x 40M with handling equipment like HMCS and RTGS. This berth can be utilized by the industries in Kalinganagar Industrial Zone for export of their finished products.

Government has also granted final approval to two other NIMZs viz., Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh and Sangareddy district (erstwhile Medak district), Telangana. The steps taken by the central Ministries/Departments for creation/upgradation of external infrastructure linkages for these NIMZs.

• Nadikudi-Srikalahasti New Railway Line (309 Kms) was sanctioned during 2015-16 which passes through Prakasam District.
• Survey for New Railway Line between Darsi and Narsaraopet (65 Kms) which passes through Prakasam District was sanctioned in 2016-17.
• Doubling of Railway Line with OHE between Guntur and Guntakal (401Kms) which passes through Prakasam District was sanctioned in 2017-18.
• Third Railway line between Vijayawada-Guduru (293 Kms) which passes through Prakasam District was sanctioned in 2017-18.
• Survey for a new railway line from Patancheru- Sangareddy- Jogipet- Medak (95 Kms) was sanctioned in 2018-19.

This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, PiyushGoyal, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1576139

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways, PiyushGoyal, reviewed the draft National Logistics Policy and the proposed action plan for implementation of the policy prepared by the Department of Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The draft National Logistics Policy has been prepared in consultation with the Ministries of Railways, Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Civil Aviation. Forty-six Partnering Government Agencies (PGAs) inputs wereanalysed in detail for consideration in the Policy.

Commerce and Industry Minister in his opening remarks urged that all the four Ministries and their departments must leverage existing infrastructure to support each other in the logistics chain. This will not only help in maximizing capacity utilization but also reduce costs he added.

PiyushGoyal directed that all four Ministries must work in coordination with each other so that the 14% logistics cost of India’s GDP may be brought down to 9%.  In the meeting all aspects of logistics related to railways, civil aviation, shipping and inland waterways, road transport, ropeways warehousing and cold chain were discussed in detail.

PiyushGoyal exhorted the line Ministries that all efforts must be made for farm produce of food grains, fruits and vegetables to reach from farm to market with minimum wastage of time. He also said that a central scheme for cold chain across the country especially for fruits, vegetables and perishables may be made part of the action plan of the draft logistics policy so that it improves efficiency and reduces the loss in agri produce of farmers.

During the review meeting issues relating to rail freight rationalization and freight policy for Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), having immediate implications for modal shift,were discussed at length.

Commerce and Industry Minister also directed that whenever any new road, railway, airport and shipping port project is being considered the Logistics Department must be a part of consultation process so that holistic planning will be possible, freight movement will be rationalized and passenger experience will improve.

India’s logistics sector is highly defragmented andthe aim is to reduce the logistics cost from the present 14% of GDP to less than 10% by 2022. India’s logistics sector is very complex with more than 20 government agencies, 40 PGAs, 37 export promotion councils, 500 certifications, 10000 commodities, 160 billion market size. It also involves 12 million employment base, 200 shipping agencies, 36 logistic services, 129 ICDs, 168 CFSs, 50 IT ecosystems and banks & insurance agencies. Further, 81 authorities and 500 certificates are required for EXIM.

As per the Economic Survey 2017-18, the Indian logistics sector provides livelihood to more than 22 million people and improving the sector will facilitate 10 % decrease in indirect logistics cost leading to the growth of 5 to 8% in exports. Further, the Survey estimates that the worth of Indian logistics market would be around USD 215 billion in next two years compared to about USD 160 billion currently.

The Commerce and Industry Ministry is formulating the logistics policy so that India’s trade competitiveness grows, more jobs are created, India’s performance in global rankings improves and paves the way for India to become a logistics hub.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1575947

केन्‍द्रीय वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्री श्री पीयूष गोयल, राज्‍य मंत्री श्री हरदीप सिंह पुरी और श्री सोम प्रकाश ने कल देर शाम ई-कॉमर्स कम्‍पनियों के साथ बैठक की। इस बैठक में ई-कॉमर्स कम्‍पनियों तथा छोटे खुदरा व्‍यापारियों के हितों में संतुलन बनाने के तरीकों पर विचार-विमर्श हुआ। इस सत्र में डीपीआईआईटी ने सेवा, खाद्यान्‍न और उपयोग किए गए पुराने सामानों जैसे क्षेत्रों से सम्‍बन्धित मामलों पर विचार-विमर्श किया।

श्री पीयूष गोयल ने उद्योग और आंतरिक व्‍यापार संवर्धन विभाग (डीपीआईआईटी) को निर्देश दिया है कि एक समिति का गठन जल्‍द से जल्द किया जाना चाहिए। डीपीआईआईटी के अवर सचिव को इस समिति का प्रमुख तथा वाणिज्‍य विभाग, एमएसएमई मंत्रालय, उपभोक्‍ता मामलों का मंत्रालय के प्रतिनिधियों और सरकार के कानूनी विशेषज्ञों को इस समिति का सदस्‍य मनोनीत किया जाना चाहिए। समिति ई-कॉमर्स में एफडीआई से सम्‍बन्धित शिकायतों पर विचार करेगी और आवश्‍यक स्‍पष्‍टीकरण प्रदान करेगी।

वाणिज्‍य और उद्योग मंत्री ने कहा कि सरकार छोटे खुदरा विक्रेताओं और किराना दुकानों को उन्‍नति के अवसर दिए जाएंगे। उन्‍होंने कहा कि मंत्रालय छोटे व्‍यापारियों, खुदरा विक्रेताओं, किराना दुकानदारों और ई-कॉमर्स कम्‍पनियों के हितों में संतुलन स्‍थापित करने का हरसंभव प्रयास कर रहा है। एक महीने के बाद इस संबंध में अगली बैठक आयोजित की जाएगी।

बैठक में वाणिज्‍य और उद्योग मंत्री ने कहा कि ई-कॉमर्स नीति पर विचार किया जा रहा है। उन्‍होंने आश्‍वस्‍त किया कि सभी हितधारकों को किसी भी प्रकार के बदलाव को अपनाने के लिए पर्याप्‍त समय दिया जाएगा। उन्‍होंने ई-कॉमर्स कम्पनियों से कानून का अक्षरश: पालन करने का आग्रह किया।

श्री पीयूष गोयल ने कहा कि भारत के हस्‍तशिल्‍प और हैंडलूम उत्‍पादों के विक्रय के लिए ई-कॉमर्स प्‍लेटफार्म का उपयोग किया जाएगा। उन्‍होंने ई-कॉमर्स प्‍लेटफार्म की मदद से निर्यात बढ़ाने पर भी जोर दिया।

श्री गोयल ने कहा कि एमएसएमई और अन्‍य छोटे खुदरा विक्रेताओं के हितों का ध्‍यान रखा जाएगा, लेकिन भारत अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था को आगे ले जाने के लिए प्रौद्योगिकी और डिजिटलीकरण को अपनाना जारी रखेगा।

इस बैठक में डब्‍ल्‍यूटीओ में भारत के राजदूत श्री जे एस दीपक, डीपीआईआईटी के सचिव श्री रमेश अभिषेक, वाणिज्‍य विभाग के सचिव श्री अनूप वधवा और दोनों विभागों के वरिष्‍ठ अधिकारी उपस्थित थे। ई-कॉमर्स कम्‍पनियों के संस्‍थापक, सीईओ और प्रतिनिधियों ने वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्री के समक्ष अपने विचार रखे।

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1575615

The Northeast Frontier Railway zone, recently shared that the repair and restoration work on the upper deck of the rail-cum-road bridge, has been completed and the bridge has been reopened within its targeted time

The work on the bridge started on March 23, 2019 and it has been repaired and redeveloped in a target period of just 89 days.

Indian Railways Saraighat bridge over Brahmaputra river: In a major relief for commuters, the old rail-cum-road Saraighat bridge over the Brahmaputra river in Guwahati has been reopened after its repair and restoration. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone, which is headquartered in Guwahati, recently shared that the repair and restoration work on the upper deck of the rail-cum-road bridge, has been completed and the bridge has been reopened within its targeted time. The work on the bridge started on March 23, 2019 and it has been repaired and redeveloped in a target period of just 89 days. The rail-cum-road bridge is a crucial link to the city of Guwahati.

How Indian Railways completed the challenging work on Saraighat Bridge in record time:

• The repair work on the upper deck of the bridge was difficult as the train movement on the lower deck was continuous during the project.
• For the repair and redevelopment project, a total of 500 workers were engaged in the project along with railway engineers to carry out the technically challenging task. The restoration work involved replacing 54 slabs on the entire upper deck as well as 11 expansion joints over the pillars.
• The methods adopted for this replacement were breaking down concrete slabs, expanding joint slabs and removing expansion joints.
• A total of 75 workers per day were involved in breaking the slabs and 45 workers were engaged in cleaning the slabs away from the route.

• In addition to this, 55 to 65 mm thick heavy duty Bituminous Concrete (BC) was laid over the upper deck to facilitate vehicular movement. With this, driving over the bridge even at higher speeds would now be smooth and comfortable. More than 500 tonnes of steel plate and reinforcement rods have been utilized for deck slabs alone.
• For the improvement of aesthetics, road markings, painting of side beams, side railings and fixing of cat eyes has also been done. This has enhanced the overall appearance and infrastructural of the bridge from near and far.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/indian-railways-reopens-iconic-rail-cum-road-saraighat-bridge-in-guwahati-see-beautiful-pics/1618059/

वाराणसी, जेएनएन। केंद्रीय रेल व कोयला मंत्री पीयूष गोयल ने चुनाव के दौरान कई दिनों तक प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के संसदीय क्षेत्र वाराणसी में प्रचार की कमान संभाली। दिल्ली रवाना होने से पूर्व शुक्रवार को वे दैनिक जागरण कार्यालय आए और काशी के प्रबुद्धजनों संग संवाद किया। गोयल इस चुनाव में बड़ी जीत को लेकर आश्वस्त हैं। दावा करते हैं कि भाजपा अकेले ही 300 से अधिक सीटें लाएगी जबकि एनडीए की करीब 360 सीटें आ रही हैं।

केंद्रीय मंत्री पीयूष गोयल ने कहा कि मोदी सरकार के काम के तरीके से सिस्टम की सोच भी बदली है। काम करने के तरीके बदले और व रफ्तार भी तेज हुई है। इस बात को 167 साल पुरानी रेल सेवा में हुए व्यापक सुधार से भी समझा जा सकता है। सरकार ने देश के 400 रेलवे स्टेशनों पर फ्री वाईफाई सुविधा की शुरुआत की और अब इनकी संख्या 1600 पहुंच गई है। दो सितंबर तक 6400 रेलवे स्टेशन इस सुविधा से युक्त हो जाएंगे। वाईफाई स्टेशनों के जरिए देश के कौशल विकास की रफ्तार भी बढ़ रही है। युवा इंटरनेट के जरिए सीखने संग  समझ बढ़ा रहे हैं। कौशल विकास को लेकर केंद्रीय मंत्री ने पैडमैन फिल्म के वास्तविक किरदार कोयंबटूर के मुरुगाथन का भी उदाहरण दिया। बताया कि योजना के तहत सीएसआर द्वारा संबंधित स्टेशनों पर युवक लैपटॉप लेकर हर दिन कुछ घंटों के लिए मौजूद रहेंगे जो आसपास के युवाओं का कौशल विकास में मदद करेंगे। केंद्रीय मंत्री का स्वागत दैनिक जागरण के प्रबंध संपादक तरुण गुप्त ने तुलसी का पौधा देकर किया। धन्यवाद ज्ञापन वाराणसी के निदेशक वीरेंद्र कुमार ने किया। संवाद का संचालन राज्य संपादक आशुतोष शुक्ल ने किया। इस मौके पर राजनीतिक संपादक प्रशांत मिश्र भी मौजूद रहे।

योग्य लोगों के बायोडाटा भी नहीं मिलते

अकादमिक संस्थानों में वामपंथी वर्चस्व से जुड़े सवाल के जवाब में गोयल ने कहा कि राष्ट्रवाद से प्रेरित साहित्यकारों को आगे आने की जरूरत है। राष्ट्रवादी साहित्यकारों का डेटाबेस होना चाहिए। दुखद है कि अच्छे व योग्य लोगों का बायोडाटा भी नहीं मिलता है। अनुरोध करने पर नाम सुझाए जाते हैं। केंद्रीय मंत्री ने दैनिक जागरण परिवार से अनुरोध किया कि ऐसे योग्य लोगों का डेटाबेस तैयार करने में भूमिका निभाएं।

भूमिगत तारों से रुकी बिजली चोरी

पीयूष गोयल ने बताया कि बनारस सहित कई शहरों में अंडर ग्राउंड केबिल बिछाए जाने से व्यापक पैमाने पर बिजली चोरी रुक गई है। बनारस में ही बिजली के कनेक्शन दोगुने हो गए हैं। हमारी सरकार ने सौर ऊर्जा के क्षेत्र में भी व्यापक काम किए। 2014 में 2500 मेगावाट सौर ऊर्जा की क्षमता थी जो अब 30 हजार मेगावाट पहुंच चुकी है। गांवों को निर्बाध बिजली के सवाल पर केंद्रीय मंत्री ने कहा कि गांवों मेंं आम उपभोक्ता और किसानों के बिजली कनेक्शन अलग-अलग करने के बाद ही यह लक्ष्य पूरा हो सकता है। सस्ती बिजली दर के लिए भी सरकार प्रयासरत है।

टॉफी-फूल व क्रिकेट किट देकर रोका ट्रेनों पर पथराव

रेलवे सुरक्षा को लेकर हुई चर्चा के दौरान रेल मंत्री ने अनूठे सफल प्रयोग के बारे में विस्तार से बताया। कहा, रेलवे की टीम ने उन गांवों और जगहों को चिह्नित किया जहां ऐसी घटनाएं हो रही थीं। आमतौर पर मिला कि किशोर और युवा शरारत में ऐसा कर रहे हैं। अलग-अलग टीम गांवों में गई। बच्चों को टॉफी बांटी गई, युवाओं को फूल देकर समझाने के साथ खेलकूद के लिए प्रेरित करने के क्रम में क्रिकेट किट भी दिए गए। उन जगहों पर पथराव बंद हो गया।

पिताजी चाहते थे संस्कृत पढूं

संपूर्णानंद संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय से जुड़े सवाल का जवाब देने के बाद कहा कि मेरे पिताजी चाहते थे कि मैं संस्कृत का भी अध्ययन करूं। अभी तक ऐसा नहीं हो पाया है।

मोदी जी चुनते कौशल विकास मंत्रालय

गोयल ने बताया कि एक बार वे प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी से मिले तो पूछ बैठे कि यदि आपको अपने लिए मंत्रालय चुनना होता तो कौन सा चुनते। पीएम ने उत्तर दिया कौशल विकास। प्रधानमंत्री कौशल विकास के क्षेत्र में व्यापक विजन के साथ काम कर रहे हैं।

एक्सप्रेस वे संग सेमी हाई स्पीड ट्रेन का विचार

बुलेट ट्रेन के सवाल पर रेलमंत्री ने बताया कि यह ट्रेन 2023 तक देश में आ जाएगी। इससे पहले जापान की कंपनी से अनुरोध किया गया है कि आजादी के 75 साल के अवसर पर बुलेट ट्रेन का एक पैच मुंबई-अहमदाबाद के बीच शुरू हो जाए। इसी क्रम में हम यह भी विचार कर रहे हैं कि यूपी में एक्सप्रेस वे के समानांतर सेमी हाई स्पीड नेटवर्क तैयार करें। इस बारे में सीएम योगी से भी बात हुई है। यह सेमी हाई स्पीड ट्रैक पूर्वांचल एक्सप्रेस वे के साथ चलते हुए गाजीपुर तक जाएगा। लखनऊ से ही यह ट्रैक आगरा एक्सप्रेस वे के समानांतर आगरा तक जाएगा। इस तरह से एक्सप्रेस वे के जरिए यह ट्रेन गाजीपुर, लखनऊ और आगरा तक जाएगी। गाजीपुर से यह सेमी हाई स्पीड ट्रेन का ट्रैक फोरलेन के जरिए वाराणसी तक से जुड़ सकेगा।

एलईडी से देश ने बचाए 50 हजार करोड़

केंद्रीय मंत्री ने एलईडी बल्ब के जरिए बिजली बचत के क्षेत्र में हुए व्यापक सुधार के बारे में विस्तार से बताया। बोले, सामान्य बल्ब की जगह अब तक देश में 145 करोड़ एलईडी बल्ब लगाए जा चुके हैं। इसमें 111 करोड़ आम उपभोक्ताओं व 44 करोड़ सरकारी प्रतिष्ठानों ने लगाए। इतने एलईडी की खरीद पर देशवासियों ने 15 हजार करोड़ खर्च किए और बिजली के बिल में 50 हजार करोड़ रुपये की बचत हुई।

The national transporter is at present constructing three significant railway bridges that will not only connect remote areas but also serve to be tourist destinations for their engineering uniqueness.

Indian Railways set to get new engineering marvels! Even as it focuses on enhancing passenger experience both in trains and at the railway stations, Indian Railways is also ramping up infrastructure, connecting several parts of the country including those with tough and challenging terrains. The national transporter is at present constructing three significant railway bridges that will not only connect remote areas but also serve to be tourist destinations for their engineering uniqueness. From the world’s highest railway bridge – Chenab bridge to the country’s first vertical lift bridge – Pamban bridge, India is all set to witness some of the best engineering marvels of the world. Take a look:

Chenab Bridge:  The world’s highest, Chenab bridge is being built in Jammu and Kashmir at a height of 359 metres above the waters of the Chenab river. Interestingly, this arch bridge will be taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The bridge forms a crucial link in the railway line between Katra and Banihal, a part of Kashmir Railway project’s Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section. Considering the terrorism-prone region where the bridge is being built, 63 mm-thick special blast-proof steel is being used for the project. The bridge, which is being developed at a cost of around Rs 12,000 crore, is likely to be complete by the end of this year.

New Pamban Bridge:  Another big infrastructure project, the new Pamban bridge is going to be Indian Railways first vertical lift bridge over the sea. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this project. The new Pamban bridge will be 2.05 km long and will be developed at a cost of Rs 250 crore. The bridge will have as many as 100 spans of 18.3 metre steel girder and one navigational span of 72.5 metre. The viaduct, which will be 3 metre higher than the existing bridge will be able to support double railway line. Currently, the movement of trains is controlled manually, however, the new Pamban bridge will support electro-mechanical controlled systems.

Bridge Number 164 in the North-East:  The world’s tallest girder railway bridge, known as Bridge No 164 in the Himalayan ranges is likely to be launched this year, enhancing connectivity across Northeast. It is being constructed across the valley of river Ijai near Noney, designed to take a maximum train speed of 120 kmph. The bridge will have a pier height of 141 metres, almost twice as high as Qutab Minar. The girder bridge is a part of the upcoming 111 km long Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal rail line. The bridge which is likely to help Indian Railways in crucial freight movement is designed to carry up to 25 ton axle-load freight trains as well. Last year, Saibaba, Chief Engineer Construction, Northeast Frontier Railway told Financial Express Online that the railway line is expected to be complete by 2020, while the girder bridge will be ready by this year.

The Indian Railways has had a very productive last 12 months, a period in which it not only enjoyed a surge in profits, but also ensured better safety standards and enhanced passenger and freight numbers. Railways Minister Piyush Goyal held a comprehensive review in Mumbai on Wednesday, whereby he revealed a drastic reduction in the number of accidents, and consequently, fatalities and injuries as well.

“In 2018-19, the number of accidents went from 73 to 59, while the number of deaths reduced to 37 from 57 a year ago, and injuries went from 197 to 108. There were 0.06 accidents per million train kilometres in 2018-19, while the corresponding figure for 2017-18 was 0.09. All of these prove 2018-19 has been the safest year for the railways,” a Railways official told DNA.

Credit for these statistics must go to a renewed focus on improvement of safety standards. “The Railways is poised towards a zero accident mode,” the officer said, adding that Goyal reviewed performance on various parameters, including punctuality, safety, freight and passenger figures, earnings and expenditure, infra and capacity augmentation, production of locomotives and coaches, track maintenance,” etc.

And the enhanced focus on safety and punctuality has also helped augment the Railways’ earnings. In 2018-19, the Railways’ total earnings surged to Rs 1,89,610.6 crore, as against Rs 1,78,701.15 crore in 2017-18. A large proportion of this was down to increased revenue from goods (Rs 1,27,207.3 crore as against Rs 1,17,055.40 crore), while passenger revenue rose to Rs 51,000.2 crore as against Rs 48,643.14 crore over 12 months.

Source: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-indian-railways-focus-on-safety-pays-off-as-accidents-drop-2740742

Manifestos are amongst the best traditions of a democracy. Reflecting the ideals and promises of a political party, a manifesto gives a vision for the future which can be realised through a partnership of the party’s leadership and the people. Despite the lofty promises made in a manifesto, people do not read it in isolation but relate it to the party’s performance in the past. Promises can be made, but they have to be delivered in order to win the trust of the people. The Bharatiya Janata Party, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly believes that this sacred document should be a “Sankalp Patra” wherein the commitments made are visionary yet implementable.

This time too we have presented our Sankalp Patra to the people where we have promised a “Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”, implying a “Committed India and a Strong India”. However, this effort marks a major shift in the way manifestos are prepared, by connecting with over six crore people, thereby transforming it into Bharat ke Mann ki baat.

The BJP manifesto also establishes a strong link with commitments made in the past, and gives a report card on the government’s performance in all sectors. PM Modi writes that the Sankalp Patra gives “a glimpse of the challenges of the yesteryears, the indomitable efforts made by 130 crore Indians to overcome those challenges and our collective vision for the future”. It narrates the success story of a nation, which accomplished in five years the promises left pending for 60 years due to misgovernance.

Illustration: Ajit Ninan

Whether it be basic necessities like toilets, healthcare, bank accounts, housing, gas connections and electricity for welfare of the people or affirmative reservations for the economically weaker sections of society – all of these have been about ensuring holistic development. The last five years have been about laying the foundation stone for a superstructure. We are now well on the way to achieving it.

We have given the cleanest government ever and created a corruption free environment. Be it in the fair auction of coal blocks and spectrum, or delivery of government services through Direct Benefit Transfer. We have shown how 100 out of 100 rupees can reach the rightful beneficiaries. The taxpayers are assured that their taxes are being put to good use in the uplift of weaker sections of society, and not ending up in the pockets of a few. This legacy will further strengthen as it becomes the norm rather than a novelty.

On the other hand, we have the opposition promising the moon with neither any previous history of results nor any path or intent to deliver. I was seven years old when I heard the slogan of Garibi Hatao by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Then at the age of 21, I vividly remember Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi saying that out of every rupee spent by the government only 15 paise reaches the poor.

At the age of 40 I heard the same family say, “Congress ka haath, Gareeb ke Saath.” Today, I am over 50, and their latest slogan is Nyay for the Gareeb. The country is tired of empty slogans. The real Anyay was when one family misled the people for over 55 years and never delivered. It fell upon us to even deliver promises in their manifestos whether it be electricity for all or reservations for the economically weaker classes.

In our Sankalp Patra, we have committed to spend about Rs 100 lakh crore on infrastructure development over the next five years. As the world’s fastest growing large economy we have an appetite for investment and if we continue to increase capital expenditure we can surely achieve our target. The Rs 100 lakh crore will help create the best possible infrastructure – roads, electricity, railways, electric vehicles, defence, healthcare, education, gas, water and irrigation, etc. Most importantly, it will give rise to massive employment opportunities for our youth both as job seekers as well as job givers.

Our motto is “India First”, and the first chapter of our manifesto speaks about strengthening the nation. The fight against divisive forces continues and we are confident the people will support us against terrorism. We are delivering “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.

We have made commitments to every sphere of society – doubling the incomes of farmers with massive investment; empowering our aspirational youth with education, skills and livelihood opportunities; greater participation of women in public life through reservations in state assemblies and Parliament; ensuring dignity for Muslim women by abolishing triple talaq; dignity and justice for Dalits, tribals and backward classes; lower taxes for the middle class; ease of doing business for startups; a safety net for small shopkeepers and traders in their old age with a pension scheme; and infrastructure for the urban areas and rural areas.

Finally, the manifesto lists out 75 milestones for India at 75 in 2022. These will transform India and cover every section of our society. As India takes its rightful place as a world leader, the people have a clear choice between a mahamilawat government with the same stale promises, or the trustworthy promises and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/speaking-the-mind-of-india-bjp-manifesto-establishes-a-strong-link-with-past-commitments-and-takes-them-forward/