Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the Union Budget 2024 will benefit all sections of society and lay the foundation for a developed India.

“This Budget will empower all sections of the society. It will benefit gaon, gareeb, kisaan (village, poor, and farmers). It will give a new scale to education and skill, and open new avenues for the youth. This budget will give new strength to the middle class,” said the Prime Minister.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Budget in the Parliament this morning. Speaking after the presentation, the Prime Minister said it would give an unprecedented push to jobs.

“This Budget is women-focused and will help towards women-led development and more participation of women in the overall workforce. It is development-focused and has increased investment in infrastructure,” he said.

This Budget will act as a catalyst to ensure India becomes the third largest economy globally in the next few years, said PM Modi. Making India the third largest economy has been a major election promise of the BJP, which returned for a third term with the help of some coalition partners.

PM Modi said his government has focused on reducing the tax burden by updating the rules under the new tax regime.

He also hailed the government’s plans for the all-round development of eastern India and said, “The holistic development of eastern India will get the impetus it needs from the Purvi Bharat development plan.”

“Rs 1,000 crore towards space sector development, angel tax being abolished, creation of new satellite towns, new transit plans, etc, will take India towards its goal of a developed nation and create economic hubs across India,” he added.

The PM further said the Budget offers new opportunities to startups and the innovation ecosystem. “We need to create entrepreneurs at the city, town, village, and home level. We need entrepreneurs to emerge in every home. We aim to make India a global manufacturing hub,” said PM Modi.

New Delhi:

Heritage is not just history but a “shared consciousness” of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while encouraging people to leverage heritage to enhance global wellbeing and forge deeper connections. 

In his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) at the Bharat Mandapam here, PM Modi also underlined the universality of heritage and said whenever one looks at historical sites, “our mind rises above current geopolitical factors”.

Heritage is not just history. It is a shared consciousness of humanity. We must leverage it to enhance global well-being and forge deeper connections. pic.twitter.com/v50YJUFV0M

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2024

He also announced that India will contribute USD 1 million to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre which will be used for capacity building, technical assistance and conservation of world heritage sites. He also underlined that this money will be useful for the countries of the Global South.

PM Modi made the announcement in the presence of UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and a large number of delegates from around the world.

India is hosting the key event of the UNESCO for the first time. It is being held from July 21-July 31.

PM Modi was joined on the dais by Azoulay, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Vishal V Sharma, chairperson of the WHC and ambassador and permanent representative of India to UNESCO, among others.

Applauding the WHC, the prime minister said that hosting this programme is a matter of pride for India and asserted that “India’s vision is ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'”.

He highlighted that North East’s historic ‘Moidams’ — a mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam — has been nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

This will be India’s 43rd World Heritage Site and North East India’s first to get the status of cultural world heritage, he said and expressed belief that ‘Moidams’ with its unique cultural significance will become more popular and gain more traction in tourism sector after bagging a place in the coveted list.

PM Modi emphasised that the session is being hosted in India which is one of the oldest living civilisations in the world. “India is so ancient that every point of time in the present moment is a reflection of its glorious past.” The world knows Delhi as India’s capital, but it is the centre of thousands of years of heritage and one can find heritage and history at every step of the way, he said. He cited the example of the ancient Iron Pillar which has been rust-free till now, giving a glimpse of India’s metallurgical prowess in the past.

“India’s heritage is not just history, it is also science. In India’s heritage, one also witnesses a glorious journey of top-notch engineering,” he asserted.

The meeting is being attended by more than 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries.

Underlining the significance of heritage, the prime minister said, “Heritage is not only history, it is a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, our mind rises above current geopolitical factors.” “Heritage is not just history. It is a shared consciousness of humanity. We must leverage it to enhance global well-being and forge deeper connections,” PM Modi posted on X later.

In his speech, PM Modi further said, “It is India’s clarion call to the world to come together to promote each other’s heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities through the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting.” He also said that ancient sites of Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat show advancements that such old civilisations had in that era. India’s history and Indian civilisation are much older and broader than the common perception of history, PM Modi said.

He mentioned findings in the past in Uttar Pradesh’s Sinauli, where copper age findings are closer to Vedic Age rather than the Indus Valley Civilisation. He talked about the discovery of a 4000-year-old horse-driven chariot. Such discoveries stress that in order to know India, there is a need for new ways of looking at the past, he said.

Prior to the inauguration, the prime minister visited an exhibition at the Bharat Mandapam that showcases some of the artefacts brought back to the country. Till date, more than 350 artefacts have been brought back, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on Saturday.

Wearing a saree, the director general of UNESCO was also present along with PM Modi during his visit to the exhibition.

In his address at the inaugural ceremony, the PM also spoke of the exhibition and said the return of the ancient artefacts reflects global liberalism and a feeling of respect towards history.

He said the 46th WHC session is taking place in “one of the most ancient living civilisations of the world”.

He lauded the engineering feats that the ancient heritage sites represent, as he cited the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand and the Brihadishvara temple built by the Cholas.

He said there was there was a phase in history when heritage was neglected in the pursuit of development, but this generation has more awareness.

PM Modi mentioned projets such as Kashi Viswanath Corridor, Ram temple, modern campus of the new Nalanda university.

He urged all foreign guests and dignitaries to explore India during their stay in the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that India will contribute one million dollars to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to provide support for heritage conservation in countries, especially of the Global South.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today, PM Modi said that India considers the preservation of global heritage as its responsibility, and hence, is providing support for heritage conservation not only in India but also in countries of the Global South.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee, PM Narendra Modi says, “…To know India, new thinking free from concepts is needed. I appeal to all of you to become a part of the new understanding of history that is developing in the light of new facts.… pic.twitter.com/9VmiFeKdth

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024

“India considers the preservation of global heritage as its responsibility, and hence, we are providing support for heritage conservation not only in India but also in countries of the Global South. India is assisting in the conservation of many heritages like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Cham Temples in Vietnam, and Bagan Stupa in Myanmar. In this direction, I am making an announcement. India will contribute one million dollars to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. This grant will be used for capacity building, technical assistance, and the conservation of world heritage sites,” PM Modi said.

“A certificate programme in world heritage management has also started in India for young professionals,” he added.
The Prime Minister also appealed everyone to come together to advance each other’s heritage.

“Today, through the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s appeal is to come together to advance each other’s heritage. Let us unite for the expansion of human welfare sentiments. The world has also seen a time when heritage was ignored in the race for development, but today’s era is much more aware,” PM Modi said.
He also asserted that India’s vision is both development and heritage.

“In the past 10 years, India has touched new dimensions of modern development and has also pledged to take pride in its heritage. Be it the Vishwanath Corridor in Kashi, the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, or the modern campus of the ancient Nalanda University. Numerous such works are happening across the country. Today, the benefits of Ayurveda are reaching the entire world, but it is India’s scientific heritage,” he added.

PM Modi also pointed out that India’s heritage is not just history, it is also science.

“In India’s heritage, one can witness a glorious journey of top-notch engineering. Just a few hundred kilometers from Delhi, at an altitude of 3500 meters, is the Kedarnath Temple. Even today, that place is so geographically challenging that people have to walk a lot or go by helicopter. It is astonishing that the construction of the Kedarnath Temple was done in the 8th century. Its engineering took into account the harsh environment and glaciers,” he said.

“There are various centers of heritage in the world, but India is so ancient that every point of the present narrates a story of a glorious past. The world knows Delhi as the capital of India, but this city is also a center of thousand-year-old heritage. Here, at every step, you will witness historical heritage. About 15 kilometers from here, there is an iron pillar weighing several tons. A pillar that has been standing in the open for 2000 years, yet it is rust-resistant to date. This shows how advanced India’s metallurgy was even at that time. It is clear that India’s heritage is not only history, but it is also science,” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister also informed that a historic place in north-east India has been proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

“The World Heritage Committee’s program is a proud achievement for India. I have been informed that the historic “Maidam” of North East India is proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This will be India’s 43rd World Heritage site and the first heritage site in North East India to receive the status of a cultural world heritage,” PM Modi informed.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee on Sunday here at the Bharat Mandapam.

Taking to X on Saturday, PM Modi wrote: “It’s a matter of immense joy that India is hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This is the first time our nation is hosting this Committee. I look forward to attending the programme at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening. This is an important forum to exchange views on ways to preserve our heritage.”

It’s a matter of immense joy that India is hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This is the first time our nation is hosting this Committee. I look forward to attending the programme at 7 PM tomorrow evening. This is an important forum to exchange… https://t.co/um3GSzCpmR

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2024

The Prime Minister’s Office in a statement mentioned that PM Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Unesco DG Audrey Azoulay will also attend the inaugural event.

India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It will take place from July 21 to July 31 at Bharat Mandapam.

The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list, the statement said.

The statement also noted that during the meeting, proposals for nominating new sites on the World Heritage list, State of Conservation reports of 124 existing World Heritage properties, International Assistance and Utilisation of World Heritage Funds, etc., will be discussed. 

The meeting will be attended by more than 2,000 international and national delegates from more than 150 countries.

Along with the World Heritage Committee Meeting, World Heritage Young Professionals’ Forum and World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum are also being held on the sidelines, the PMO statement said.

Further, various exhibitions will also be set up at Bharat Mandapam to showcase India’s culture. The Return of Treasures Exhibition will showcase some of the retrieved artefacts brought back to the country.

“Till date, more than 350 artefacts have been brought back. Further, by using the latest AR & VR technologies, an immersive experience will be offered for 3 world heritage sites of India: Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temple, Halebid, Karnataka. “

Also, an ‘Incredible India’ exhibition will be set up to highlight India’s rich cultural heritage, age-old civilisation, geographical diversity, tourism destinations along with modern developments in the field of Information Technology and infrastructure,” the statement added.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a congratulatory call from his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon on his re-election as the two leaders agreed to advance their bilateral ties in sectors such as trade and economic cooperation, animal husbandry, pharmaceuticals, education and space among others.

PM Modi’s office said in a statement on Saturday that both leaders noted that India-New Zealand relationship is anchored in shared democratic values and close people-to-people ties, reiterating their firm commitment to take bilateral cooperation to new heights in the years to come.

It said, “Highlighting the momentum generated by the recent high-level contacts between the two sides, they agreed to advance the mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various areas, including trade and economic cooperation, animal husbandry, pharmaceuticals, education, space among others.” 

PM Modi thanked Christopher Luxon for looking after the interests of Indians in New Zealand and was assured of his continued efforts towards their security and well-being.

I thank Prime Minister @Chrisluxonmp for his call and warm felicitations. Reiterated our firm commitment to take forward India-New Zealand ties, which are rooted in shared democratic values and people-to-people ties. Appreciate his efforts towards the security and well-being of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2024

He later posted on X, “I thank Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his call and warm felicitations. Reiterated our firm commitment to take forward India-New Zealand ties, which are rooted in shared democratic values and people-to-people ties. Appreciate his efforts towards the security and well-being of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.” PM Modi returned to power for a third straight term in the recent Lok Sabha polls. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on being re-elected as the President of the European Commission and said he looked forward to working together to strengthen the India-EU strategic partnership for global good.

The Ministry of External Affairs said this in a statement.

Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day posted on X: “Congratulations, @vonderleyen, on your re-election as the President of the European Commission. Look forward to working together to strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership for global good.”

Congratulations, @vonderleyen, on your re-election as the President of the European Commission. Look forward to working together to strengthen the - Strategic Partnership for global good.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 19, 2024

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jairam Ramesh. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Congress on July 14 accused the Modi government of showing “insensitivity and hostility” towards Maharashtra, alleging that the past ten years have seen the State “consistently squeezed out of multiple key projects and investments”.

The Opposition party’s attack came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted at an event in Mumbai on July 13 that his aim is to make Maharashtra the world’s big financial powerhouse and to make Mumbai a global fintech capital.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, “Last evening in Mumbai, the self-anointed non-biological Prime Minister claimed that his ‘aim is to make Maharashtra the world’s big financial powerhouse and to make Mumbai a global fintech capital’. This is his trademark lie. Despite Mumbai having been the financial capital of India for 200 years, Mr. Modi has repeatedly refused to set up an IFSC in Mumbai. An International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) has been set up only in GIFT City in Gujarat. Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2006 had begun the effort to set it up in Mumbai,” Mr. Ramesh said.

“Land in the Bandra Kurla Complex had also been set aside for the IFSC but it was reallocated to the bullet train, costing Mumbai potentially two lakh jobs,” he claimed.

“In fact, the past ten years have seen Maharashtra consistently squeezed out of multiple key projects and investments — the attempted shift of the diamond industry to Surat, the shifting of industrial projects such as the Tata-Airbus manufacturing plant and the (now-failed) Vedanta-Foxconn chip factory, and the transfer of Central Government institutions such as the Textile Commissionerate Office and the Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development,” Mr. Ramesh said.

“All this appears to be part of a larger insensitivity and hostility towards Maharashtra, as further evidenced by Mr. Modi’s continued refusal for the last ten years to declare Marathi a classical Indian language,” the Congress leader said.

His remarks came a day after PM Modi, during the event to launch projects costing ₹29,000 crore in road, railway, and port sectors, said, “Our aim is to improve everyone’s standard of living and make quality of life the best. This is why efforts are being made to better the connectivity of areas close to Mumbai.”

Mumbai:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the media’s natural role is to create discourse by discussing serious issues.

Speaking after inaugurating INS Towers, the Indian Newspaper Society’s secretariat in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex, PM Modi expressed confidence that India will soon become the third-largest economy and spoke about how the nation has become the leader in digital payments.

He also said the role of newspapers is crucial in the journey to Viksit Bharat in the next 25 years and appealed to Indian publications to enhance their global presence.

“Media makes people aware of their strength. Media’s natural role is to create discourse by discussing serious issues,” PM Modi said even as he emphasised the impact of government policies on the functioning of the media.

The role of newspapers is very important in the journey to Viksit Bharat in the next 25 years. The citizens of a country who gain confidence in their capabilities start achieving new heights of success. The same is happening in India today, PM Modi said.

He said the INS has not only witnessed the ups and downs of India’s journey but also lived it and communicated it to the people.

“A country’s global image directly affects its economy. Indian publications should enhance their global presence,” the prime minister said.

He said the media is not a mute spectator of the condition of the nations but it plays a major role in changing them.

Underlining the role of newspapers and magazines in the next 25-year journey to Viksit Bharat, PM Modi highlighted the media’s role in creating awareness about rights and the potential of the citizenry He also spoke on how India has become the leader in digital payments.

“There was a time when some politicians used to say that digital transactions were not for India. They had a preconceived notion that modern technology can’t work in this country,” he said.

PM Modi further said the world is witnessing the capabilities of Indians and today, the country is creating new records in digital transactions.

“Due to India’s UPI and modern digital public infrastructure, the ease of living of people has improved, and it has become easier for them to send money across countries,” PM Modi said.

The country will benefit from the effective work done by the Indian Newspaper Society, he added.

The PM said before 2014, most people were unaware of the word startup, but the media made it reach every home.

He also highlighted the success of digital transactions in India as an example of how confident citizens achieve great success.

The Prime Minister stated the example of financial inclusion and opening of bank accounts through the movement of Jan Dhan Yojna and the integration of about 50 crore people with the banking system and added that major nations are interested in India’s digital public infrastructure.

“This project was the biggest help in Digital India and initiatives to curb corruption,” he said.

PM Modi highlighted the government’s focus on environmental protection, which he said is a humanitarian issue rather than a political one.

He said the recently launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign is being discussed around the world and global leaders showed a keen interest in this program during the G7 Summit.

PM Modi lauded the media for making movements like Swachh Bharat or Startup India a part of national discourse, saying these initiatives were not impacted by vote bank politics.

He underlined the important role of the media in heightening the sense of duty and awareness of the citizens towards the Constitution considering the 75th-year celebrations of the Constitution of India.

The Prime Minister reiterated India’s march to become the third largest economy in the near future.

“It is the responsibility of the media to take India’s success to every corner of the globe. A country’s global image directly affects its economy”, he said.

PM Modi also spoke about the growing importance of the Indian expatriates with the rise in the stature of India and its growing ability to contribute to global progress.

The prime Minister wished for the expansion of Indian publications in all UN languages and said that websites, micro-sites or social media accounts of these publications could be in those languages.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised that creation of eight crore new jobs in the last three to four years has “silenced” those spreading fake narratives about unemployment.

Quoting a recent report of Reserve Bank of India on the employment figure, the Prime Minister asserted the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government continues to prioritise stability and growth and added that small and big investors have welcomed the NDA’s third term with enthusiasm.

During the event launching projects costing Rs 29,000 crore in road, railway, and port sectors, PM Modi took a swipe at opposition parties for spreading misinformation on job creation, labelling them as hindrances to progress.

“This figure has silenced those spreading fake narrative on jobs,” PM Modi said in a veiled attack on the opposition that had made unemployment a key issue in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

“Those who spread fake narratives are enemies of investment, infrastructure development and enemies of the country’s growth. Their every policy is about betraying youth and stall employment. Now they are getting exposed as people are rejecting their lies,” the PM said.

PM Modi said skill development and employment are needed in the country and his government is working in this direction.

He said Maharashtra has a glorious history, a capable present and the dream of a prosperous future.

It is the state that has a critical role to play in Viksit Bharat as it has power of industry, agriculture and finance sector.

“My aim is to make Maharashtra the world’s big financial powerhouse and to make Mumbai a global fintech capital,” he said.

“Our aim is to improve everyone’s standard of living and make quality of life the best. This is why efforts are being made to better the connectivity of areas close to Mumbai,” the PM added.

The ground breaking of infrastructure works come months ahead of the state assembly polls.

The upcoming infrastructure projects in and around Mumbai will boost connectivity of the city with nearby areas, which ensures better facilities as well as safety for women, PM Modi pointed out.

The expansion of the metro rail network in the metropolis was going on at a rapid pace, rising from just 8 kilometres ten years ago to 80 kilometres now, while work on 200 kilometres is underway, the PM said.

In Maharashtra, the length of national highways has trebled, adding the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, which will act as a major east-west connector in the northern part of the city, was a fine example of balance between conserving nature and development.

The twin tunnels connecting Thane and Borivali will ensure the distance between the two areas will be covered in minutes, the PM said.

The Coastal Road and Atal Setu are now complete, the PM said, and recalled efforts by some to stall the sea bridge.

But now everyone realises how beneficial it is, the PM said about the Atal Setu, the country’s longest sea bridge connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Some 20,000 vehicles use it everyday and it is estimated that Rs 20-25 lakh worth of fuel is saved and people take less time to reach Panvel, the PM pointed out.

The transformation of railways is benefitting Mumbai and Maharashtra, he said.

The redevelopment works of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Ajni-Nagpur were happening at a rapid pace.

The new platforms at CSMT and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (two of the main junctions of Central Railway in Mumbai), have been inaugurated and will enable the railways to run 24-coach trains, the PM said.

The Centre has also approved the Rs 76000 crore Vadhavan port in Dahanu in Palghar, which will generate 10 lakh jobs, the PM said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised that creation of eight crore new jobs in the last three to four years has “silenced” those spreading fake narratives about unemployment.

Quoting a recent report of Reserve Bank of India on the employment figure, the Prime Minister asserted the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government continues to prioritise stability and growth and added that small and big investors have welcomed the NDA’s third term with enthusiasm.

During the event launching projects costing Rs 29,000 crore in road, railway, and port sectors, PM Modi took a swipe at opposition parties for spreading misinformation on job creation, labelling them as hindrances to progress.

“This figure has silenced those spreading fake narrative on jobs,” PM Modi said in a veiled attack on the opposition that had made unemployment a key issue in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

“Those who spread fake narratives are enemies of investment, infrastructure development and enemies of the country’s growth. Their every policy is about betraying youth and stall employment. Now they are getting exposed as people are rejecting their lies,” the PM said.

PM Modi said skill development and employment are needed in the country and his government is working in this direction.

He said Maharashtra has a glorious history, a capable present and the dream of a prosperous future.

It is the state that has a critical role to play in Viksit Bharat as it has power of industry, agriculture and finance sector.

“My aim is to make Maharashtra the world’s big financial powerhouse and to make Mumbai a global fintech capital,” he said.

“Our aim is to improve everyone’s standard of living and make quality of life the best. This is why efforts are being made to better the connectivity of areas close to Mumbai,” the PM added.

The ground breaking of infrastructure works come months ahead of the state assembly polls.

The upcoming infrastructure projects in and around Mumbai will boost connectivity of the city with nearby areas, which ensures better facilities as well as safety for women, PM Modi pointed out.

The expansion of the metro rail network in the metropolis was going on at a rapid pace, rising from just 8 kilometres ten years ago to 80 kilometres now, while work on 200 kilometres is underway, the PM said.

In Maharashtra, the length of national highways has trebled, adding the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, which will act as a major east-west connector in the northern part of the city, was a fine example of balance between conserving nature and development.

The twin tunnels connecting Thane and Borivali will ensure the distance between the two areas will be covered in minutes, the PM said.

The Coastal Road and Atal Setu are now complete, the PM said, and recalled efforts by some to stall the sea bridge.

But now everyone realises how beneficial it is, the PM said about the Atal Setu, the country’s longest sea bridge connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Some 20,000 vehicles use it everyday and it is estimated that Rs 20-25 lakh worth of fuel is saved and people take less time to reach Panvel, the PM pointed out.

The transformation of railways is benefitting Mumbai and Maharashtra, he said.

The redevelopment works of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Ajni-Nagpur were happening at a rapid pace.

The new platforms at CSMT and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (two of the main junctions of Central Railway in Mumbai), have been inaugurated and will enable the railways to run 24-coach trains, the PM said.

The Centre has also approved the Rs 76000 crore Vadhavan port in Dahanu in Palghar, which will generate 10 lakh jobs, the PM said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)