Modi dedicates Rs 1.06 lakh crore projects in Rajasthan, says energy security key to Viksit Bharat
Balotra (Rajasthan), July 4 (TNT): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹1.06 lakh crore in Rajasthan, including the Rajasthan Refinery, saying the initiatives would strengthen the country’s energy security, boost industrial growth and generate large-scale employment.
Addressing a public meeting in Balotra, Modi said the refinery would create thousands of jobs and significantly contribute to India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the energy sector.
Referring to recent geopolitical developments in West Asia, the Prime Minister said India had successfully navigated global energy disruptions through timely policy interventions, diversification of fuel imports and diplomatic engagement.
He said the government had expanded India’s energy import basket from about 25 countries to over 40 countries to ensure uninterrupted supplies during the crisis.
Modi said domestic refineries were reconfigured to enhance LPG production when global supplies were disrupted, increasing output from about 35,000 metric tonnes to 54,000 metric tonnes within a week.
He added that the government also expanded piped natural gas (PNG) connections to reduce pressure on LPG supplies.
The Prime Minister said despite a sharp rise in global crude oil prices during the conflict, the Centre ensured adequate availability of petrol, diesel and cooking gas while shielding consumers from the full impact of international price fluctuations.
He said the government absorbed substantial financial costs and reduced excise duty on fuel to ease the burden on consumers.
Highlighting India’s energy infrastructure, Modi said the country now has the world’s fourth-largest refining capacity and would continue to expand it to meet future demand.
He also referred to the disruption in global fertilizer supplies following the Ukraine conflict and said the government ensured uninterrupted availability of urea to farmers through subsidies, alternative sourcing and diplomatic efforts.
The Prime Minister said the Centre had also extended financial support to MSMEs through the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme to help them cope with higher input costs during the global crisis.
Highlighting infrastructure projects in Rajasthan, Modi inaugurated the new terminal at Jodhpur Airport, laid the foundation stone for Jaipur Metro Phase-II and announced measures aimed at improving water availability in the Shekhawati region.
He said an agreement between Rajasthan and Haryana to construct an underground pipeline from the Hathnikund Barrage would help address drinking water shortages in several districts, including Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s initiatives in renewable energy, including expansion of solar parks, implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and distribution of solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
Modi said the Centre remained committed to strengthening infrastructure, energy security and water conservation while accelerating Rajasthan’s economic development
TNT KS
