Jodhpur, May 22 (IANS) Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s railway network has evolved beyond merely being a mode of transportation and emerged as the “lifeline of the nation”.

Addressing the launch event for the extension of the Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express and the inauguration of other railway services, Shekhawat said that, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for a digital, safe and modern India, Marwar and western Rajasthan have received major rail infrastructure projects worth crores of rupees.

He said that in the past, delays and operational disorder in Indian Railways had become accepted as unavoidable realities, while people admired the modern train systems of foreign countries.

However, over the last 12 years, Prime Minister Modi has transformed that mindset completely.

Shekhawat said that due to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the efforts of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, trains matching the quality, speed and standards of railway systems in countries such as the US, Japan, France and Switzerland are now operating in Jodhpur itself through the Vande Bharat Express.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s Make in India and Surakshit Bharat initiatives, Shekhawat said the success of the indigenous railway safety system ‘Kavach’ reflected the government’s strong political commitment.

He said the advanced system ensures that two trains cannot collide even in the event of human error or technical malfunction, providing a strong safety shield for more than 20 million passengers travelling daily across the country.

The Union Minister added that the unprecedented success and passenger demand for the Vande Bharat train from Jodhpur had led to the direct expansion of the train from eight coaches to 20 coaches under the Prime Minister’s directives.

He further informed that Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway Station is being developed into a modern mega terminus under the station redevelopment scheme.

The project is expected to pave the way for direct connectivity from Jodhpur to major south Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune, benefiting migrants from the Marwar region.

He also said that Jodhpur has now been included among select railway hubs in the country where maintenance facilities for next-generation trains have been established.

Describing the development projects as a major gift for the “Golden City”, Shekhawat said the Prime Minister has consistently prioritised the development of Jaisalmer and Pokhran due to their tourism and strategic importance.

He announced that the Ahmedabad and Sabarmati Express train services have now been extended directly to Jaisalmer, improving rail connectivity for Rajasthanis residing in Gujarat as well as international tourists visiting the desert region.

Shekhawat further said that the Central government has sanctioned a Rs 160 crore loop line project at Pokhran to eliminate the long-standing issue of passengers facing delays of nearly 45 minutes during engine-switching operations.

The Union Minister also highlighted India’s financial management during the global economic and fuel crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Referring to his recent foreign tour, Shekhawat said fuel prices in some countries had increased by 18 per cent within four days, while global rates surged by nearly 120 per cent.

Despite this, Prime Minister Modi ensured that the burden of inflation did not fall on the people of India, he added.

He also said that when international fertiliser prices rose sharply, the Prime Minister ensured uninterrupted fertiliser supply to Indian farmers at existing prices by providing subsidies worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

Criticising opposition parties over their remarks on the Prime Minister’s appeals for fuel conservation and promotion of domestic tourism, Shekhawat said the people of the country have immense faith in their “Pradhan Sevak”.

He said that crores of citizens voluntarily gave up LPG subsidies, observed the Janata Curfew and lit lamps in honour of Corona Warriors in response to appeals made by Prime Minister Modi.

Shekhawat appealed to citizens to continue supporting the Prime Minister’s efforts towards national development and safeguarding the dignity and self-respect of the nation.

Among those present at the event were Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot, Jodhpur City MLA Atul Bhansali, Soorsagar MLA Devendra Joshi, MLA Arjun Lal Garg, former Mayor Ghanshyam Ojha and BJP District President Rajendra Paliwal, along with railway officials and party workers.

–IANS

arc/pgh