Speaking at a rally in Amod near Bharuch from where the Bullet train will pass, PM Modi said the Rs 1-lakh-crore project being implemented with a soft loan from Japan would create a huge number of jobs besides making travel faster. “Those opposing the bullet train are free to roam around in bullock cart. We will work as per our potential, you can do as per yours,” he said, ridiculing Congress.
PM said Congress was criticising the project because it had failed to implement it after making a big announcement. “Dr Manmohan Singh had announced the project in Delhi in 2012. But his government was unable to negotiate with Japan for a soft loan as they couldn’t afford it. But when BJP came to power, we got the loan almost for free and even started the work,” he said. He said a large number of youths from Gujarat will get free technical and scientific knowledge from Japan at the special training centre set up in Vadodara for the bullet train.
Dubbing Congress as anti-development, PM Modi said, “My only problem with Congress is that the party is raising objections to development projects just because they announced (them) but couldn’t execute. You can oppose BJP, but why stoop to such a low level that you are opposing development of the country.”
“The massive quantity of cement and iron to be used for making the tracks and other infrastructure will be sourced locally. This will result in more cement and iron factories coming up and ultimately result in youths getting jobs. Labourers will also get work,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the job generating potential of the bullet train project can be gauged from the fact that investment in this project is four times that of Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) in Dahej that has already created job opportunities for a large number of people.
He said PCPIR had earned a place in the international list of 25 industrial regions with the best infrastructure. “As a result, Dahej is on the global map now,” he said.
Source : timesofindia
