New Delhi: Contending that funds are no longer a constraint for the infrastructure sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pushed for quick resolution of inter-departmental and Centre-state issues to speed up the pace of implementation of infrastructure projects.
Chairing a meeting to review the progress of work being done by various infrastructure ministries and departments, he pitched for expediting electrification of the country, including through solar energy, and integrating the railway as well as coastal networks for development.
The meeting was told that no power plant today faces shortage of coal as issues regarding the fuel supply to the plants have been resolved.
He reviewed the plans for augmenting solar power generation capacity in the country.
At the meeting, the NITI Aayog made a presentation on various infrastructure sectors including power, coal, renewable energy, ports and coastal development, roads, and railways.
Modi said the NITI Aayog should focus on quick resolution of inter-departmental and Centre-state issues to speed up the pace of implementation of infrastructure projects, a PMO statement said.
Referring to his meeting with top international investors during the recent BlackRock India Investor Summit here, the Prime Minister said funds are no longer a constraint for the infrastructure sector.
He directed all concerned departments of the government to work towards creating a holistic framework and environment that will be conducive for investment.
He also instructed the ministries concerned to work in a ‘Mission mode' towards achieving electrification of the remaining 20,000 unelectrified villages, in a clearly defined time-frame.
The Prime said said innovative solutions should be explored for ensuring total rural electrification, including solar energy, power connectivity through nearby railway infrastructure, and off-grid solutions.
While reviewing plans for augmenting solar power generation capacity in the country, the Prime Minister suggested that BCCI could be involved in an effort to convert power consumption of all major cricket stadiums across the country from conventional energy to solar energy.
On the progress in coastal development, he reiterated his call for a ‘Blue Revolution', integrating coastal shipping, tourism, and regional development, through the Sagarmala Project.
He also called for a fundamental change in the approach towards redevelopment of railway stations and development of areas contiguous to railway corridors that run through major cities in the country.
Top government officers from all related infrastructure ministries, the PMO and the NITI Aayog were present at the meeting.
