Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched for greater energy self-reliance, highlighting India’s rapid expansion in solar power, piped gas distribution and railway electrification while asserting that the country must reduce its dependence on other nations.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said self-reliance was essential to strengthening India’s capabilities and protecting its national interests.
“It is our conviction that India must not be dependent on other countries. We must become self-reliant. We have to strengthen our capabilities and protect our national interests,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting the growth of India’s solar energy sector, PM Modi said the country’s installed solar capacity
had surged dramatically over the past 12 years.
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“Twelve years ago, the country’s solar energy capacity was only 2 GW. Just 2 GW. Today, it is 160 GW,” he said.
PM Modi On Piped Gas Infrastructure
PM Modi also highlighted the expansion of piped gas infrastructure, comparing the numbers before 2014 with the current figures.
“Before 2014, that is, 12 years ago, only around 70 cities in our country had piped gas distribution. In 12 years, we have increased this number from 70 cities to 700 cities. This is what speed and expansion look like,” he said.
“Before 2014, piped gas reached barely 20–22 lakh households. Today, work is underway to provide piped gas to nearly 1.75 crore households,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the government’s push for energy transition had also focused on ensuring that ordinary households benefit from the expansion of renewable energy.
“We have achieved this target. Let me share another piece of information. We have also focused equally on ensuring that the benefits reach the middle class and ordinary families. We launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. And it is a matter of satisfaction that, in such a short time, 50 lakh households are now using solar energy,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi On Railway Electrification
He also pointed to the pace of railway electrification, contrasting the progress made over the past decade with the pace recorded in the preceding 90 years.
“You will be surprised to know that the electrification of our railway system began in 1925. But in 90 years, from 1925 to 2014, only 30% of the railway network had been electrified. That means just 30% in 90 years,” he said.
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“Look at our speed. Look at our determination to achieve our goals. We have completed 100% electrification within this past decade. 90 years for 30%,” he added.
Modi said railway electrification had also helped reduce India’s dependence on imported diesel while contributing to environmental gains.
“In a year, we achieved 70%. This is what work at speed looks like. And as a result, we have saved the diesel that we had to import from abroad. Our trains are running on electricity, and the environment is benefiting,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s entry into hydrogen-powered rail transport, saying the country was aiming to keep pace with global technological developments.
“We have not stopped here. We do not want to remain behind the world. You may have heard the news recently. India has entered a new field of fuel as well. The country has started its first hydrogen-powered train. And I am happy that it is the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen train, and India has also made its mark in the field of hydrogen trains,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi On Self-Reliance
Defending his government’s emphasis on self-reliance, PM Modi said the idea had once faced criticism in the context of globalisation.
“There was a time when I spoke about self-reliance, and some people sitting in air-conditioned chambers would tell us, ‘What will happen to globalisation?’ But the world is seeing that over the past decade, it seems as if the world has stopped talking about globalisation. The voices that once spoke about globalisation are no longer being heard,” he said.
PM Modi said India had continued to pursue its 2047 development goal despite facing multiple challenges over the past decade.
“For the past 10–12 years, we have been continuously working towards achieving the 2047 goal. We have been achieving one milestone after another. We had not imagined that we would also have to face so many challenges along the way. Over the past 10–12 years, we have faced so many crises,” he said.
‘India Has Dreamed Very Big’
Reiterating his vision of a developed India by 2047, PM Modi called for collective efforts and ambitious goals.
“Today, India has also dreamed a very big dream. It has been dreamed with a strong resolve, with the aim of reaching new heights. And that dream is that by 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, we will make India a developed nation. With the efforts of 140 crore Indians, we have to achieve this goal. And when the world’s most populous country resolves to become developed,” he said.
He added, “Big dreams, because big dreams expand our thinking and broaden the horizons of our thoughts. Our resolve must be strong.”
