₹ 100 lakh crore project. PM Modi announces ₹ 100 lakh crore project for infrastructure building

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced two major schemes -- Gati Shakti Project and the National Hydrogen Mission -- which, according to him will take the country towards progress in the next 25 years, termed as Amrit Kaal.

Modi said the world has witnessed that India does not have dearth of political will that is required to bring big changes and reforms. The Opposition, however, termed the speech as mere rhetoric and said most of the announcements are unfulfilled promises made in his old speeches.

He announced an ambitious project for infrastructure building worth ₹100 lakh crore. Named as Gati Shakti Project, the scheme will provide a holistic infrastructure master plan to make a foundation for an integrated pathway to the country.

"Along with modern infrastructure, there is a great need for adopting a holistic and integrated approach in infrastructure construction. In the near future, we are going to launch the National Master Plan of Prime Minister ‘Gati Shakti’ which will be a huge scheme and fulfil the dreams of crores of countrymen.

This scheme of more than 100 lakh crores rupees will result in new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth," he said. He said the Centre has taken efforts to make India energy independent before completing 100 years of independence.

"India has moved towards electric mobility and work is underway on 100 per cent electrification of Indian Railways with the aim to becoming net-zero carbon emitter by the year 2030," Modi said.

He also announced the National Hydrogen Mission in view of climate change. "We have to make India a Global Hub for Green Hydrogen Production and Export in the 'Amrit Kaal'. This will not only help India to make a new progress in the field of energy self-reliance but will also become a new inspiration for Clean Energy Transition all over the world. New opportunities from Green Growth to Green Job are opening up today for our start-ups & youth," he added.

Raising voice against terrorism and expansionism, he said by conducting surgical strikes and air strikes the country has given a string message to the enemies that India can take tough decisions too.

He said India has also showed political will in taking policy decisions. "There are two important aspects of this perception -- one is terrorism and the other is expansionism. India is fighting both these challenges and is also responding strongly in a restrained manner. Our defense preparedness has to be equally strong if India has to fulfill its obligations properly," he said. Modi said the "Can Do" generation can achieve every unimaginable goal. "Our youth is the 'Can Do' Generation, and they can achieve everything they set their mind to. Our actions today will determine our future.  Our today will set the theme of our 100 years of India's Independence," he said.

Reacting to the speech, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said the Gati Shakti Project was announced in 2019 too. "It has been two years since he announced the scheme. He could have at least changed the figures of crores of rupees," Surjewala said. He added that even the jumlas of Prime Minister have become old. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also found nothing new in the speech.

"Rhetoric, empty slogans & disinformation mark PMs speech. No reassurance to crores suffering from  Covid mismanagement & vaccine shortages. Growing unemployment, poverty, hunger, backbreaking prices and misery. Ominous warning that our lives will continue to be ruined further," Yechury said.

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