Viksit Bharat Viksit Mumbai in Ghatkopar East

Viksit Bharat Ambassadors met at Bhatia Wadi in Ghatkopar East, Mumbai, to engage with the local diamond merchant and traders community. Over 300 members from the area joined the event, which was honoured by the presence of Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Communications, and IT. A free-flowing exchange took place, with participants voicing their suggestions and experiences directly to the Minister.

During his address, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s transformative initiatives in the railways and telecommunications sectors, emphasizing the significant progress made in enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and technological advancements.

Union Minister for Railways, Communications, and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw provided a comprehensive overview of Indian Railways’ transformative journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, refurbish railway stations, and introduce Vande Bharat trains to revolutionize transportation nationwide.

Vaishnaw emphasized the significant changes implemented in Indian Railways, noting that past administrations had treated it as a “personal fiefdom,” exploiting it for political gain. He credited Prime Minister Modi’s tenure with initiating drastic improvements, including enhancements to train toilets and a focus on cleanliness and hygiene at stations, a shift that was previously unimaginable.

Highlighting the immense scale of Indian Railways, Vaishnaw pointed out that approximately 2.5 crore people travel by train daily, equivalent to Australia’s population, with around 700 crore people utilizing the railways annually. He contrasted this with the neglect and stagnation witnessed during Congress-led regimes, citing the substantial increase in rail track construction under the current government, including 5,300 kilometres developed in the past financial year alone.

Minister Vaishnaw outlined ambitious goals for the future, including eliminating train waiting lists within the next 5-6 years and the ongoing makeover of 300 railway stations, with a particular focus on Maharashtra. He highlighted the redevelopment of Shivaji terminal as a world-class station while preserving its heritage, a project requiring a significant investment of Rs 2,700 crore.

Engaging with the Viksit Bharat audience, Minister Vaishnaw sought feedback on the design and convenience of Vande Bharat trains, showcasing a video of Vande Metro and explaining its potential to enhance travel comfort and connectivity between cities. He underscored the transformative impact of Vande Metro in revolutionizing public transport.

Additionally, Vaishnaw announced plans to add three more corridors of bullet trains, laying the groundwork for future prosperity and economic growth. The Union Minister’s address reflected the government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways and fostering efficient, convenient, and sustainable transportation infrastructure for the nation.