GANDHINAGAR, July 16: Stressing the need for reforms in the railways, the prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the dreams of the modern India would not be fulfilled with the ways of the 20th century.
He was inaugurating multiple development projects in Gujarat, including the redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station. Among the works Modi inaugurated via video link is the redeveloped Vadnagar railway station in his home town where in his younger days he helped his father, who had a tea stall there, selling tea. “Many memories are linked with Vadnagar station,” he said.
“We have worked to develop the railways not only as a service but as an asset, the result of which can be clearly seen today,” Modi said.
Modi also inaugurated the newly-built five-star hotel atop the redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station and later inaugurated three new attractions at the Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad including the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery and Nature Park. He also flagged off two new trains i.e Gandhinagar Capital – Varanasi weekly Superfast Express and MEMU service trains between Gandhinagar Capital and Varetha.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the goal of the country at present was not only to create a concrete structure but to create an infrastructure which has its own character. He said children’s learning and creativity should also get space along with their entertainment for their natural development. He added that Science City was a project that combines re-creation and re-creativity. It has such re-creational activities that encourage creativity in children.
The Prime Minister noted that the Aquatics Gallery built in Science City is going to be even more enjoyable. It is one of the top aquariums not only in the country but also in Asia. He said that the sight of marine biodiversity from around the world at one place is a wonderful experience in itself.
The Prime Minister said the interaction with robots in the Robotics Gallery is not only the center of attraction but will also inspire our youth to work in the field of Robotics and will inculcate curiosity in their mind.
The Prime Minister emphasized on the critical role played by railways in a vast country like India. He said railways also bring new dimensions of development, new dimensions of facilities. Due to the effort of the last few years, today trains are reaching the capitals of the North East for the first time. “Today Vadnagar has also become a part of this expansion. I have so many memories attached to Vadnagar station. The new station looks really attractive. With the construction of this new broad gauge line, the Vadnagar-Modhera-Patan heritage circuit is now connected with better rail service”, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister remarked that the vehicle of development of New India will move forward only by moving on two tracks simultaneously, one track is of modernity and the other track is for the welfare of the poor, farmers and middle class, he added.
(Manas Dasgupta)