Stable policy regime for e-mobility soon: PM Modi
New Delhi, Sep 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the government will soon put in place a new stable policy regime to promote the use of electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles in the country to fight climate change.
"We want to build India as a driver in electric vehicles. We will soon put in place a stable policy regime around electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles," Modi said at the launch of the two-day "Move: Global Mobility Summit" here.
"Clean mobility powered by clean energy is our most powerful weapon in our fight against climate change. This means a pollution-free, clean drive, leading to clean air and better living standards for our people," he said.
Modi said that in a rapidly transforming mobility paradigm, India had inherent strength and comparative advantages over other major economies.
"We have little of the legacy of resource-blind mobility. We have fewer vehicles per capita than other major economies. Thus, we do not carry much of the baggage of other economies that were built on the back of private car ownership. This gives us a window of opportunity to create an all new seamless mobility ecosystem," the Prime Minister said.
He added that not only did India have a strong Information Technology sector, but also its vast public digital infrastructure created by the unique identity programme Aadhaar.
"With digitally empowered 850 million Indian citizens, we can demonstrate how such digital infrastructure can be combined with new mobility business models.
"Our renewable energy boost will ensure that the environmental benefits of electric mobility can be fully realised. We plan to draw 175 GW of energy from renewables by 2022. We are already the fifth largest producer of solar energy and sixth largest of renewable energy in the world," Modi added.
He said that India also had a fast growing manufacturing base and a large digitally-literate young population.
"Therefore, I am convinced that India is the best place globally to be an early mover in the mobility economy... we will do whatever it takes, because this is our commitment to our heritage and our promise to future generations," he added.
Calling mobility similar to Internet in its early days, Modi said that the mobility revolution was an enabler of India's growth and development, which was capable of creating employment for those with doctorates and engineering degrees, to drivers and mechanics.
"We should embrace this revolution early and leverage ourselves to lead the mobility innovation ecosystem both for ourselves and others," he said.
"My vision for the future of mobility in India is based on 7 Cs -- common, connected, convenient, congestion-free, charged, clean, cutting-edge." Charged mobility, Modi said, was the way forward.
"We want to drive investments across the value chain from batteries to smart charging to electric vehicle manufacturing... India's entrepreneurs manufacturers are now poised to develop and deploy breakthrough battery technology," he said.
The Prime Minister also said that India's economy and reforms were on the move in this direction.
"Our economy is on the move. We are the world's fastest growing major economy. Our cities and towns are on the move. We are building 100 smart cities. Our infrastructure is on the move. We are speedily building roads, airports, rail lines and ports...
"Our goods are on the move. Goods and Services Tax has helped rationalise supply chains and warehouse networks... our reforms are on the move. We have made India an easier place to do business. Our lives are on the move. Families are getting homes, toilets, LPG cylinders, bank accounts and loans... we are fast emerging as the start-up hub of the world," he said
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Govt working to minimise impact of global conflicts on people, Cong trying to create panic: PM
Silchar (PTI): Asserting that the Centre was working to minimise the impacts of global conflicts on the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the opposition Congress was acting "irresponsibly" by trying to create panic in the country.
Addressing a public meeting in Assam's Silchar after unveiling projects worth over Rs 23,550 crore, Modi alleged that the Congress had ignored the development of the Northeast for decades, and allowed a drawing of the border during Independence that cut off Barak Valley's access to the sea.
"As the world is facing wars, our effort is to minimise their impact on the people of the country. The Congress should have performed the role of a responsible political party, but it failed to do so. It is trying to create panic among the people," he alleged.
"They do not have any vision either for Assam or the nation, but only know how to abuse Modi, spread rumours, lies, and create false reels to mislead people," he claimed.
Modi also took on the Congress over its shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi last month, accusing the party of defaming the nation.
"The entire world is interested in AI, and the successful summit in Delhi was attended by global leaders, tech companies and their heads. But, the Congress tried to embarrass the country by indulging in a 'kapda phar' (tearing of clothes) exhibition," he said.
Modi said the entire country condemned "this vulgar" protest, but the "royal family of the Congress" is "patting themselves on the back".
"Congress is left with nothing but to tear its own clothes," he added.
Alleging that the Congress engages in activities against the nation's interest, the PM said it can never ensure the welfare of the people of any state.
"Congress is losing one election after another, and in the near future, the party will hit a century of its losses. The despair of its losses has led it to open a front against the nation, and its leaders are busy defaming the country," he said.
Modi alleged that the Congress kept the Northeast away from both "dil (heart) and Delhi", ensuring that development did not reach the region's people, leaving them mired in violence and backwardness.
"Just as the Congress left the Northeast on its own, in a similar way, it played a major role in weakening the Barak Valley. When India became Independent, Congress allowed a border to be drawn that cut off Barak Valley's access to the sea," he alleged.
"Barak Valley, once known as an industrial centre, was stripped of its very strength. For decades after Independence, Congress governments remained in power, yet the region saw little development. Today, the BJP government is working to change that," he added.
Modi said connectivity is being developed in the Barak Valley to link it to other parts of the Northeast and West Bengal.
"It will be developed as a big logistics and trade hub of the region," he said, noting that Barak Valley is also at the centre of the government's Act East Policy and will be a bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia.
The PM alleged that Congress misguided Assam's youth into paths of violence and terrorism, while the BJP has ensured the state becomes a place of unlimited opportunities where they can reach for the sky.
"Where Congress stops thinking, we start working," he said, noting that the BJP's mantra is to give priority to those left behind in development.
"Assam's youth have immense opportunities in the semiconductor and technology sectors. The current era of peace and progress has been achieved through immense sacrifices, which must be protected from regressive forces," he said.
Modi said education, skill development, and healthcare have become the primary pillars of the government's development thrust.
Assam is rapidly emerging as a health hub, with AIIMS and cancer hospitals now forming a strong network, he said.
The PM said that during the Congress rule, the border villages were considered the "last villages", but his government views them as the nation's "first villages".
"The second phase of the Vibrant Village Program has begun from the Cachar district and is already bringing visible improvements to border areas. The historical neglect of these areas is now being replaced by proactive development and strategic focus," he said.
The PM said the state government has performed a "historical duty" by granting land rights to thousands of families of tea garden workers.
"Granting of land rights is not only a legal security that ensures dignity, but will now also allow these families to access central schemes for housing, electricity, and water," he said.
Referring to former PM Manmohan Singh, Modi said he represented Assam for 10 years but did not give a single paise to the farmers of the state, whereas the BJP has given them more than Rs 20,000 crore.
"The region's journey of progress is now unstoppable, supported by its rich language and culture. The development projects inaugurated today are just the beginning of a new era for the Barak Valley," he said.
At the programme, the PM took part in the 'bhoomi poojan' for the Rs 22,864-crore access-controlled expressway between Silchar in Cachar district and Shillong in Meghalaya, the first of its kind in the Northeast.
The 166-km four-lane greenfield high-speed corridor will reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar from 295 km to 252 km, cutting travel time from 8.5 hours to around 5 hours, officials said.
Modi also took part in the 'bhoomi poojan' for an elevated corridor on NH-306, from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar, which will be constructed at Rs 565 crore.
This project aims to alleviate congestion on one of Silchar's busiest roads, improve links with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley, officials said.
The PM also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 122-crore College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.
These are part of projects worth Rs 47,800 crore that the PM unveiled in the state since Friday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were among those present at the programme.
