Una (Himachal Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a swipe at Congress accusing the grand old party of neglecting the development of Himachal Pradesh, the state which they have ruled for several decades.
Addressing a public rally in Una the Prime Minister said without directly mentioning the Congress that the earlier government in Himachal Pradesh failed to bring any development in the state and never bothered to understand the aspirations of the people.
"I remember the condition of Himachal. No development was there. The earlier governments in Himachal and those sitting in Delhi also remained indifferent in fulfilling the needs of you people. They could never understand your hopes and aspirations," said Modi.
Lauding the performance of the Jairam Thakur-led BJP government in the state the Prime Minister said that it is the BJP that is working for the development of Himachal Pradesh. As for Bulk Drug Park of which he laid the foundation stone during the day, the Prime Minister said that it will attract investment of around Rs 2,000 crore. "Medicines will become cheaper when both, raw materials and production, will be made in Himachal Pradesh," said Modi.
The Prime Minister also said that the BJP government not just fulfilling the needs of the people of the 20th century, but is also bringing the modern facilities of the 21st century to the doorstep of the people in Himachal. "Development of rural roadways, availability of water supply and healthcare facilities along with progress in digital infrastructure has always been the top priority of the government. New India is overcoming the challenges of the past and growing rapidly," said Modi.
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The Prime Minister also said that those rural roads are being constructed in Himachal at double the speed, while connectivity to Gram Panchayats is also being provided at a rapid pace. "The festival of Diwali has arrived early for Una and Himachal Pradesh. I am happy to announce gifts worth rupees several thousand crores to Himachal before Dhanteras and Diwali. Today I flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat train. This is the fourth Vande Bharat train to be introduced in the country," said Modi. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Drug Park will be built at a cost of over Rs 1,900 crore. The Park will help reduce dependence on active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) imports.
Earlier in the day the Prime Minister flagged off the Vande Bharat Express train from Una railway station to Delhi, in the presence of Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur.
The semi- high speed train will run between Amb Andaura in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi. According to Railways officials the new Vande Bharat train is an advanced version compared to the earlier models as it is much lighter and capable of faster acceleration. It accelerates to 100 km per hour in just 52 seconds.
They also said that the train will run six days a week except on Wednesdays, with stops at Ambala, Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib, and Una. The introduction of the train will provide a major boost tp tourism in the region and ensure a comfortable and faster mode of travel, officials said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on his arrival at Pekhubela Helipad in Una. He will later address two public meetings in Una and Chamba districts after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of various projects in the two districts of Himachal Pradesh. With this Prime Minister has visited Himachal Pradesh for the ninth times in the last five years. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Himachal Pradesh later this year.
