Jaipur, July 11 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth approximately Rs 880 crore in Kekri, Ajmer district, asserting that the state’s “double-engine government” is accelerating infrastructure development and improving public services across Rajasthan.

Addressing a public gathering, Sharma said the state government has prepared a roadmap for key sectors including water, electricity, roads, education, healthcare, and employment, and that the results are now visible on the ground.

He said the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat is centred on building world-class infrastructure and improving the lives of ordinary citizens, and that Rajasthan is moving rapidly towards that goal through sustained investments in roads, railways, airports, water projects, and social welfare.

Highlighting the government’s infrastructure push, the Chief Minister said nearly 49,000 kilometres of road development has been undertaken over the past two-and-a-half years at a cost of more than Rs 33,000 crore, while 18,000 kilometres of new roads have been constructed.

He added that over 3,000 kilometres of roads have also been upgraded and strengthened under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

As part of the programme, Sharma laid the foundation stone for the Nasirabad-Sarwar-Kekri-Deoli (Phase-I) four-lane highway, as well as several road-strengthening and widening projects across the region.

Calling water Rajasthan’s biggest priority, Sharma said the government is working to ensure drinking water reaches every household through major initiatives such as the Ram Jalsetu Link Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, and the Dewas Project.

He also highlighted welfare measures for farmers, saying the annual Kisan Samman Nidhi assistance has been increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000, with a target of raising it to Rs 12,000 in the future.

He added that farmers are receiving daytime electricity supply, power subsidies, interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh under the Rajasthan Sahkari Gopal Credit Card Loan Scheme, and livestock insurance under the Chief Minister Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana, under which over 22 lakh insurance policies have been issued.

The Chief Minister said the government has issued appointments for 1.78 lakh government posts, while recruitment for more than one lakh additional vacancies is underway. He also claimed that 4.5 lakh youth have secured jobs in the private sector.

He said rural youth are being provided employment opportunities through the dairy sector, while women are being economically empowered through initiatives aimed at creating ‘Lakhpati Didis’.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said Rajasthan is witnessing rapid development under the “double-engine government” and that projects such as the Rajasthan Refinery reflect the state’s commitment to industrial growth.

Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore described the Yamuna water project as a “historic initiative” that would benefit the Shekhawati region and praised the government’s efforts to strengthen road infrastructure and make Rajasthan power-surplus.

During the visit, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for the Nasirabad-Sarwar-Kekri-Deoli Phase-I four-laning project, multiple MDR and rural road strengthening and widening projects across the Kekri region, cement concrete roads in Kekri Municipality, and the construction of classrooms in government schools.

He also inaugurated the Government Integrated College building for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, upgraded road connectivity between Kekri, Sarwar, Nasirabad, Sawar and Deoli, and culverts and road development works in the Kekri area.

Earlier, Sharma planted a sapling at the Government College campus to promote environmental conservation and received a grand public welcome at several locations during his visit.

Union Minister of State Bhagirath Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, state ministers, legislators, and local public representatives were also present on the occasion.

–IANS

arc/dan