Bengaluru: From chips to ships, and from artificial intelligence and data centers to quantum computing, India is moving toward global leadership in emerging technologies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said. He emphasized that reliable power generation is essential to achieving this goal. As part of efforts to meet clean energy targets and satisfy rising energy demands, the country is expanding its nuclear power capacity, Modi said.
At a ceremony held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Modi spoke after inaugurating, dedicating to the nation, and laying the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth Rs. 15,600 crore in Karnataka.
He said that these projects, which include metro, railway, and energy infrastructure, will strengthen connectivity, boost economic growth, and create new employment opportunities in the state.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the need to strengthen the country’s energy security amid the ongoing conflicts in Iran and the surrounding Gulf region. Over the past decade, the nation has strengthened its energy infrastructure by expanding fuel production and storage capacity and by investing in solar, hydropower, and wind power generation. He also said that India’s renewable energy capacity has surpassed 300 gigawatts.
Under the Prime Minister’s free solar power scheme, rooftop solar power generation systems have been installed in more than 6 million homes across the country. In Karnataka alone, these have been set up in more than 40,000 homes. Financial assistance of about Rs. 80,000 has been provided to each family. Under the Prime Minister’s KUSUM scheme, more than 800,000 solar pumps are being used for irrigation in Karnataka. He also said these schemes help homes and farmers become producers of clean energy.
Production capacity for petroleum products and cooking gas has been increased, and crude oil storage facilities have also been created. Pointing out that solar power, hydropower, and wind power generation have also been expanded, Prime Minister Modi said that the underground cooking gas storage facility set up in Mangalore has a storage capacity of 80,000 metric tons.
The Devanahalli marketing terminal, aimed at streamlining the supply of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel; and a compressed biogas plant in Bengaluru with a production capacity of 13 tonnes per day, are among them. Modi said this biogas plant would help improve waste management and reduce spending on natural gas imports.
The fuel distribution terminal at Devanahalli near Bengaluru will improve the supply of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. The compressed biogas plant to be set up in Bengaluru will produce about 13 tonnes of biogas per day. This will not only improve waste management but also reduce the cost of natural gas imports.
Prime Minister Modi, who described Bengaluru as the country’s Silicon Valley, said that the city contributes more than one-third of the nation’s information technology exports and stands as a major hub of innovation and economic growth.
The 'Namma Metro' network, which was just 17 kilometers in 2014, has now expanded to more than 100 kilometers. With this, Bengaluru has emerged as the third city in the country, after the Delhi-NCR and Mumbai metropolitan regions, to reach this milestone. The newly inaugurated elevated 'pink line' of the Bengaluru Metro will improve connectivity between educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), and major business and technology hubs. He said that Bengaluru has emerged as the third urban area, after the Delhi National Capital Region and the Mumbai metropolitan region, to have a metro route of more than 100 km.
Furthermore, speaking about railway modernization efforts, including the development of 'Amrit Bharat' railway stations and the expansion of 'Vande Bharat' services, Modi also flagged off a new Vande Bharat train connecting Karnataka and Goa. This new service will improve transport connectivity in the coastal regions between Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka, Mangaluru, and Goa, while providing passengers with a faster and more convenient travel experience. He said the Central Government is committed to expanding modern public transport infrastructure in the Bengaluru region, which serves as an important hub of innovation and economic growth.
