On May 22, 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Rajasthan to inaugurate, lay foundation and dedicate various developmental projects worth Rs.26,000 Crore in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
The various projects include,
i.Inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat stations across 18 states and Union Territories(UT) of India.
ii.Laid the foundation stone for several Road and transport infrastructure.
iii.Laid the foundation stone for several RE and power transmission projects in Rajasthan.
Key Highlights of the Visit:
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid foundation and developmental projects worth Rs.26,000 crore in Bikaner and addressed a public event in Palana, Rajasthan.
1.Rail Infrastructure:
i.PM Narendra Modi flagged off a new weekly express train service connecting Bikaner in Rajasthan to Bandra Terminus in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
ii.He inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat Railway Stations in 86 districts across 18 states and UT through a video conference at Bikaner.The total cost of the project is Rs.1,100 crore.
- Over 1,300 stations are being developed with modern facilities, designed to reflect regional architecture and enhance passenger amenities under the ABSS.
- Notable redeveloped stations are: Rajasthan’s Deshnok station reflects the temple-style architecture of the nearby Karni Mata Temple. Telangana’s Begumpet station showcases intricate designs inspired by the Kakatiya dynasty. Bihar’s Thawe station celebrates local art with murals of Maa Thawewali and Madhubani paintings. Gujarat’s Dakor station echoes the grandeur of the Ranchhodraiji Temple with its domes and turrets.
- State-wise Distribution of Inaugurated Stations: Uttar Pradesh(UP): 19 stations; Gujarat: 18 stations;Maharashtra: 15 stations; Tamil Nadu(TN): 9 stations; Rajasthan: 8 stations; Madhya Pradesh(MP): 6 stations; Chhattisgarh: 5 stations; Karnataka: 5 stations; Jharkhand: 3 stations; Telangana: 3 stations; West Bengal(WB): 3 stations; Bihar: 2 stations; Kerala: 2 stations; Andhra Pradesh(AP): 1 station; Assam: 1 station; Haryana: 1 station; Himachal Pradesh(HP): 1 station and Puducherry: 1 station.
iii.He laid the foundation stone for the 58 kilometre(km) Churu–Sadulpur rail line and dedicate to the nation the electrification of several key railway sections: Suratgarh–Phalodi (336 km), Phulera–Degana (109 km), Udaipur–Himmatnagar (210 km), Phalodi–Jaisalmer (157 km), and Samdari–Barmer (129 km).
- Spanning nearly 1,000 km, these electrification projects align with Indian Railways’ mission to achieve 100% electrification, aiming to improve operational efficiency and minimize carbon emissions.
Road and Water Infrastructure:
i.PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for construction of 3 Vehicle Underpasses, widening and strengthening of National highways(NH).
ii.He dedicated 7 roadway projects, cost over Rs.4,850 crore, will facilitate smoother movement of goods and people.
- The highway extends up to the Indo-Pak border, enhancing accessibility for security forces and strengthening India’s defence infrastructure.
Renewable Energy(RE) Projects:
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for several RE and power transmission projects in Rajasthan.
i.100 Megawatt (MW) Nawa Solar Power Project in Didwana, Kuchaman district.
ii.300 MW Ground-Mounted Solar Project in Bikaner.
iii.Foundation stones were also laid for solar projects in Deedwana and Kuchaman, expanding the state’s solar infrastructure.
iv.Initiated the development of transmission systems under PowerGrid’s Sirohi (Part B) and Mewar (Part E) divisions, enhancing grid connectivity and supporting the evacuation of power from these solar projects.
Others:
i.He also inaugurated, laid foundation and dedicated 25 important state government projects across Rajasthan to enhance infrastructure, connectivity, power supply, health services and water availability in the state.
- It includes laying of foundation stone and dedicating the projects for upgrading and maintaining 12 State Highways covering a total length of over 750 Kilometer (Km) worth over Rs.3,240 crore.
ii.In Jhunjhunu district(Rajasthan), he launched the Rural Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project, aiming to provide fluoride-free drinking water to rural communities affected by high fluoride levels in groundwater.
iii.Additionally, under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme, the Prime Minister inaugurated the restructuring of urban water supply systems in seven towns of Pali district, Rajasthan.
About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS):
i.Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) was launched in February 2023.
ii.The scheme aims to enhance and modernize railway stations throughout the Railways network
iii.The scheme currently intends to upgrade and modernize a total of 1,300 stations across the Indian Railway System (IRS).
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister(CM) – Bhajan Lal Sharma
Governor – Haribhau Bhagade
Capital – Jaipur
National Park (NPs) – Ranthambore NP, Sariska NP
