PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of 1923 crore Bulk Drug Park, inaugurates IIIT and flags off Vande Bharat Express at Una

Dharamsala, October 13, 2022: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park at Una to be set up in Haroli constituency of Una district. He also inaugurated Rs. 128 crore Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in village Saloh, Haroli in Una district.

Earlier, the Prime Minister flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express from Amb Andaura, Una to New Delhi, from Una Railway station.

The Prime Minister inspected the train coaches of the Vande Bharat Express and took stock of the onboard facilities. The Prime Minister also inspected the control centre of the locomotive engine of Vande Bharat Express. He also inspected Una railway station.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Governor of Himachal Pradesh Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Union Minister of Railways Ashvini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur when he arrived at Una Railway Station.

The introduction of Vande Bharat Express train will help boost tourism in the region and provide a comfortable and faster mode of travel. The travel time from Una to New Delhi will be reduced by two hours.

While addressing the public  at Una, Prime Minister  Narendra Modi said, “Today work is beginning on the second bulk drug park of the country at Una. Being chosen as one of the only three states for a bulk drug park is a momentous decision for the state and is a result of our affection and dedication for the state. Similarly, the decision to bring Vande Bharat to Himachal Pradesh also shows the priority that the government accords to the state. He pointed out that earlier generations from the state had not even seen a train, and today, Himachal has one of the most advanced trains running from here. He expressed satisfaction with how the double-engine government is working for the progress of the people.”

The Prime Minister remarked that earlier governments at Himachal Pradesh and Centre paid no attention to the needs and aspirations of the citizens of Himachal Pradesh. The Prime Minister interjected that time has changed for the better now and the present government is not only working to fulfil the needs of the people but also aiming to realise their hopes and aspirations with utmost dedication and force. “We are not only filling the gulf of development left by the previous governments but also building strong pillars of foundation for the state”, he added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that In India, the earlier government made even  basic care difficult for the common people.  Hilly areas were the worst hit by this. “New India is overcoming challenges of the past and growing rapidly. Amenities that should have reached the people in the last century are being made available now. We will get the amenities of the 20th century and will connect Himachal Pradesh with the modern facilities of the 21st century”, he added. He said rural roads are being constructed at double the speed and broadband connectivity is being taken to Gram Panchayats.

The Prime Minister informed that Himachal Pradesh has played a crucial role in making India the number one medicine manufacturer in the world and its possibilities are only going to increase. “The entire world has witnessed the strength of the medicines manufactured in Himachal Pradesh”, Shri Modi added. He further pointed out that now that raw materials for medicine manufacturing will be produced in Himachal Pradesh, India’s dependency on the other nations is going to decrease significantly.  The Prime Minister highlighted that the government is providing free treatment expenses up to five lakh rupees for the poor and needy through Jan Aushadhhi Kendra under the aegis of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. “Bulk Drug Park will give further strength to the government’s campaign to provide quality and affordable medical care to people”, he pointed out. “Be it agriculture or industry, it is connectivity that provides impetus to the pace of development”, Shri Modi said. He gave the example of Nangal Dam-Talwara railway line which was approved 40 years ago and no progress was seen on the ground for 40 years till the current government took it up in right earnest. Double-engine government is committed to improving railway connectivity across Himachal Pradesh. Today, when the country is connected with Made in India Vande Bharat trains, Himachal is becoming one of the leading states in the country, he said.

The Prime Minister underlined the new working style of delivering on promises and delivering before time. He said “unlike earlier times when Himachal was valued less on its strength and more on the basis of the number of its Parliamentary seats, long pending demand for educational institutes in the state is being tackled with urgency. Himachal had to wait for the Double Engine government to get IIT, IIIT, IIM, and AIIMS. Education sector-related initiatives in Himachal Pradesh will immensely benefit the students". Students will get more relief from the permanent building of IIIT in Una, he said. The Prime Minister who had laid the foundation stone of the IIIT building is today dedicating the building to further underline the changing work culture. He complimented the people involved in the project for completing it on time despite the challenge of the pandemic.

Pointing out the need for skill and innovation institutions across the country, the Prime Minister said that it is our biggest priority today to hone the skills and potential of the youth. He also noted the contribution of the youth of Himachal by serving in the army and creating new dimensions in the security of the country. “Now different types of skills will help them to take them to higher positions in the army as well”, he added.

The Prime Minister was presented with the Himachali Cap, Shawl, ‘Dev Rath’ and Chunari of Mata Chintpurni by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on behalf of the people of the State.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park, dedicating IIIT Una and flagging-off ‘Vande Bharat Express Train’ for the State. He said that the Rs 1923 crore Bulk Drug Park mega project would be set up in an area of 1405 acres in the villages of  Haroli  assembly constituency of Una district. He said that out of this, about Rs 1100 crore grant would be provided by the Centre and the remaining amount would be borne by the State Government. He said that this Park would generate potential investment of Rs 50,000 crores and thousands of employment opportunities for the youth of the State.  With the establishment of this Park related subsidiary enterprises, economic activities would increase and the country's dependency of China for supply of API will be reduced to a great extent and Himachal would be able to play a strong role in India's self-reliant campaign, he added.

Jai Ram Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh has been immensely benefited due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who always considers Himachal Pradesh his second home. He said that topographically, Himachal Pradesh was a difficult State and had limited mode of transport, other than the road transport. He said that the Vande Bharat Express Train was indeed a dream come true for the people of the State, which would go a long way in providing a comfortable and fast mode of transportation to the people of the region.

The Chief Minister said that despite being a small State, Himachal Pradesh has shown a way for several bigger States of the country in attracting investment to the State. He said that the former Prime Minister late Atal Bahari Vajpayee provided a Special Industrial Package for the State, which attracted huge investment in the State, particularly in the Pharma sector. He said that the State also provided several incentives to the potential entrepreneurs and the State's ranking in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ has improved from 16th Rank to 7th Rank in the country.  He said that now the Bulk Drug Park sanctioned by the Prime Minister for the State would prove a game changer for the State in general and people of the region in particular.

While giving credit of unparalleled development in the State to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that the ‘Double Engine’ Governments at the Centre and State have ensured balanced and all round development of the State. He said that the Centre started Ujjwala Yojna under which over 1.38 Lac free gas connections were provided to the people of the State and the State Government started Mukhyamanrti Grihini Suvidha Yojna under which 3.35 lakh free Gas connections were provided to the families not covered under the Ujjwala Yojna. He said that 3.42 lakh people had benefited under the State scheme HIMCARE Yojna by spending Rs. 326 crore. He said that Himachal Pradesh has always preferred the Prime Minister in the matter of development. He said that the Medical devices Park being setup at Nalagarh was also sanctioned for the State by the Prime Minister.

Jai Ram Thakur also urged the people of the State to provide their wholehearted support to the BJP Governments at the Centre and the State, so that this pace of development goes uninterrupted for many more years to come.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur, while welcoming the Prime Minister in his Parliamentary constituency, thanked him for flagging off the 4th Vande Bharat Express Train of the nation and 1st  Vande Bharat Express Train for the State. He said that it was possible due to the special bonding the Prime Minister shares with the State and its people. He said that Vande Bharat Express Train was not a mere train but it was a faith, love and confidence of the people of the State of the Prime Minister. He said that the Congress Government snatched the interests of the State, whereas the Prime Minister not only restored the special category status for the State, but also provided several developmental projects for the State. He also thanked the Prime Minister for fulfilling the ‘One Rank One Pension’ for the ex-servicemen.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Member of Parliament and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, Chairman State Finance Commission Satpal Singh Satti, Vice Chairman State SIDC Ram Kumar, MLA Gagret Rajesh Thakur, MLA Chintpurni Balbir Singh shared the dais with the Prime Minister, whereas Ministers, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various Boards and Corporation, MLAs and other leaders were also present on the occasion.