Bikaner: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation a series of development projects worth ₹26,000 crore in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The event marked a major milestone in the country’s infrastructure, industrial, and energy advancement, as well as a reaffirmation of India’s unyielding stance on national security.
Addressing a massive gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed dignitaries and citizens from 18 states and union territories who joined both in person and virtually. He began his speech after seeking blessings from Karni Mata, symbolically strengthening the nation’s resolve toward becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
PM Modi highlighted that India is undergoing an unprecedented infrastructure transformation. “The country is now investing six times more in infrastructure development compared to previous governments,” he stated, citing landmark projects like the Chenab Bridge, Sela Tunnel, Bogibeel Bridge, Atal Setu, Pamban Bridge, and others as examples of nationwide progress.
Emphasizing rail infrastructure, the Prime Minister spotlighted the introduction of Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains across nearly 70 routes, the construction of 34,000 km of new railway tracks, and the modernization of over 1,300 railway stations. He praised the aesthetic and cultural significance of Amrit Bharat Stations, such as Rajasthan’s Mandalgarh and Gujarat’s Dakor, blending modern amenities with India’s artistic heritage.
Turning to Rajasthan, the Prime Minister detailed a massive investment push:
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₹70,000 crore invested in road infrastructure in the last 11 years
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Nearly ₹10,000 crore to be spent on railway development this year
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Flagging off of a new Bikaner-Mumbai train
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Launch of key health, water, and electricity projects
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Support for local industry, including the Rajasthan Refinery Project and promotion of Bikaneri Bhujia and Rasgullas as global brands
He also emphasized the progress of mega connectivity projects like the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor and the nearing completion of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway segment in the state.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, over 40,000 residents of Rajasthan are now saving on electricity bills and earning through solar power generation. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to irrigation and river-linking projects, especially the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link, which is poised to benefit western Rajasthan’s farmers.
In a powerful and emotionally charged segment, PM Modi addressed the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He condemned the targeting of innocent lives based on faith, declaring that the response, Operation Sindoor, was executed within 22 minutes, resulting in the destruction of nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan.
Drawing a historic parallel, the PM noted that just like after the 2019 Balakot air strike, his first rally after this operation was again in Rajasthan, a land known for valor and sacrifice.
PM Modi outlined three key principles established by Operation Sindoor:
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India will respond to terror on its own terms—time, method, and manner determined solely by its forces.
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Nuclear threats will no longer intimidate India.
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India will not differentiate between terrorists and the governments that support them, directly implicating Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror infrastructure.
He emphasized that Pakistan has suffered a heavy blow—militarily and economically—with its Rahim Yar Khan Airbase forced to shut operations after India’s strikes. He reaffirmed that there would be no talks or trade with Pakistan unless it involved the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In a powerful declaration, PM Modi stated, “Crushing terrorism is not just a strategy, it is a principle. This is New India—bold, decisive, and unshakable.” He reiterated that India’s fight against terrorism is rooted in justice, not revenge, and driven by a determination to protect every citizen and uphold national dignity.
He concluded his speech by recalling his words from Churu in 2019, “Swear by this soil, I will not let the country fall, I will not let the country bow,” adding that those who tried to erase India’s sacred traditions have now been reduced to dust.
The event was attended by Governor of Rajasthan Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with several other senior leaders, public representatives, and thousands of citizens.
