The ASICS report provided the first nation-wide analysis of local governance in Indian cities, and has since, expanded on the scope of city-based analysis and evaluation of municipal performance through a citizen-centric lens, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas. The Minister released today the sixth edition of the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems, i.e., ASICS 2023 report at an event, co-hosted by Janaagraha and Rainmatter Foundation at Hotel Imperial, New Delhi.

Calling the report a meticulous and praise-worthy effort, the Minister noted that this report includes the study of 82 municipal legislations, 44 town and country planning acts, 176 allied acts, rules and notifications, 32 other policy/scheme documents, and 27 additional datasets pertaining to urban development in India.

As regards the 10 key recommendations made in the report, The Minister said that these 10 ‘instruments of change’ can deepen the principles of decentralisation and devolution in urban governance and revitalize the spirit of the 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act.

Shri Puri noted that the report has acknowledged the unprecedented actions taken by Government under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in working towards this agenda of decentralization and devolution in urban governance. He mentioned about the six-fold increase in the Finance Commission grants to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from the 13^th Finance Commission to the 15^th Finance Commission. He stressed that the 15th Finance Commission distinguished between million-plus urban agglomerations and other cities, providing for 100 per cent outcome-based funding of approximately Rs 38,196 crores to 50 urban agglomerations with incentives for air quality, water supply and sanitation.

Adding further, he said that the AMRUT programme instituted 11 mandatory reforms in ULBs, including improving creditworthiness of cities, operationalising municipal bonds, and the professionalisation of the municipal cadre. 12 cities have already raised more than Rs. 4,384 crores through municipal bonds, he emphasised.

The government has disbursed unprecedented funds to undertake urban planning reforms such as modernisation of building bye laws; transit-oriented development; adoption of Transferable Development Rights; integration of blue and green infrastructure through nature-based solutions; affordable Housing through in-situ rehabilitation; GIS-based master planning; and Online Building Permission Systems (OBPS).

Treating our cities as an opportunity rather than a challenge, Shri Puri said that the Prime Minister has brought about a revolution in India’s urban development paradigm. More than Rs. 18 lakh crores have been invested since 2014 in the transformation of our cities and towns, he emphasised.

Since 2014, the Minister said that the Government has undertaken the most comprehensive and planned urbanisation programme anywhere in the world. He talked about the initiatives/missions such as PMAY (Urban), Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, PM SVANidhi mission and DAY-NULM, that have turned out to be transformational in growth and development of the urban spaces.

The Minister said that under PMAY (Urban), almost 1.19 crore houses have been sanctioned. More than 1.13 crore houses have already been grounded and 77 lakh delivered, he said.

Speaking about Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, the Minister said that the mission has brought about a pan-India behavioural shift towards Swachhata. Solid waste processing has gone up from 17% in 2014 to 76% today. He expressed the confidence of achieving 100 percent waste processing in coming years.

The Minister said that AMRUT has addressed basic social infrastructure such as water and sewerage in 500 cities by providing more than 1.72 crore water tap connections and 1.35 crore sewer connections. Now, AMRUT 2.0 is aiming further ahead by aspiring to make our cities ‘Water Secure’, he said.

Under the Smart Cities Mission, he said that 6,069 projects worth over Rs. 1.1 lakh crores have been completed.

The Minister highlighted that at present we have the fifth-largest metro network in the world with around 871 kms of metro lines laid and after the construction of 905 kms of metro network more, India will become the second-largest metro network in the world.

“More than 34.2 lakh livelihoods have been created under the DAY-NULM mission. The mission imparted skill training to 14.9 lakh candidates”, he added further.

Referring to the Urban Areas as Spaces of aspiration and opportunity, the Minister said that the Cities are the hubs of economic growth and innovation. Much of India’s economic progress lies in the productivity of its cities.  In harnessing the potential for high growth that exists in our cities, he said that we need to focus on the ULBs which are the primary interface of governance for our citizens. ULBs provide the political avenue for citizens to raise their issues, he observed.

Wherever local elected leaders, Mayors, Municipal Commissioners and state governments have worked in tandem, we have seen incredible results, he noted. He added, “in the Swachh Bharat Mission, Mayors were seen leading advocacy and awareness campaigns in every ward and colony across the country”.

The Minister said, “We must look to empower our Mayors and City Councils because they have successfully demonstrated that they are capable of driving global action at the local level”, he said. He mentioned about the first-ever Mayors’ Conference held in Varanasi in December 2021 as a confidence-building measure towards this direction.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to assess progress of India’s Gaganyaan Mission and to outline the future of India’s space exploration endeavours.

The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. It was noted that around 20 major tests, including 3 uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned. First demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled on 21 October. The meeting evaluated the mission’s readiness, affirming its launch in 2025.

Building on the success of the Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayan-3  and Aditya L1 Missions, Prime Minister directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending first Indian to the Moon by 2040.

To realize this Vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration. This will encompass a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), construction of a new launch pad, setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies.

Prime Minister also called upon Indian scientists to work towards interplanetary missions that would include a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India’s capabilities and affirmed the nation’s commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted National Security Guard (NSG) personnel on their Raising Day.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister lauded all the brave personnel of the force who, in the course of their duty, displayed unwavering professionalism, a deep love for our nation and indomitable courage.

In a X post, the Prime Minister said;

“Best wishes to all NSG personnel as they mark their Raising Day.

The @nsgblackcats have firmly established themselves as a distinguished force, safeguarding us from various threats.

On this special occasion, I laud all the brave personnel of the force who, in the course of their duty, displayed unwavering professionalism, a deep love for our nation and indomitable courage.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated a Shri Ram Temple-themed Durga Puja pandal in Sealdah, West Bengal.

In his address on this occasion, Shri Amit Shah said that today he has come here only to seek the blessings of Maa Durga. He said that Maa Durga always fought to protect the truth and has killed many demons from Raktabeej to Shumbha-Nishumbha. Shri Shah said that these nine days are the days of festival for West Bengal when all the pandals across the Bengal are immersed in the devotion of the Maa Durga.

Union Home Minister said that during Navratri the entire country worships Maa Durga in different forms. In Gujarat, worship is done by decorating the Mandap of Maa Durga, in Eastern India, people worship Shakti in Durga Puja pandals and in North India also people worship Shakti through many rituals. Shri Amit Shah said that he has come to pray to Maa Durga for happiness, peace and prosperity for the people of the entire country including Bengal. He said that he also pray to Maa Durga to give the strength to end corruption, injustice and atrocities from Bengal soon. He added this Durga Pandal is spreading the message of Ram Mandir all across the world even before its completion in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the third edition of the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 on 17th October, 2023 at around 10:30 AM via video conferencing. The summit will be held from 17th to 19th October at MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai.

During the programme, Prime Minister will unveil ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, the long term blueprint for the Indian maritime blue economy. The blueprint outlines strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing port facilities, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating international collaboration. In line with this futuristic plan, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 23,000 crore, that are aligned with the ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ for the Indian maritime blue economy.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Tuna Tekra all-weather deep draft terminal, to be built at a cost of more than Rs. 4,500 crore at Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat. This state-of-the-art greenfield terminal will be developed in PPP mode. The terminal, which is likely to emerge as an international trade hub, will handle next-gen vessels exceeding 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), and will act as a gateway for Indian trade via  India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). Prime Minister will also dedicate more than 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth more than 7 lakh crore for global and national partnership in the maritime sector, during the programme.

The summit is the biggest Maritime Event in the country. It will witness participation of Ministers from across the globe representing countries from Europe, Africa, South America, Asia (including central Asia, Middle East and BIMSTEC region). The summit will also be attended by Global CEOs, Business leaders, Investors, Officials, and other stakeholders from across the world. Further, several Indian states will also be represented in the summit by the Ministers and other dignitaries.

The three day summit will discuss and deliberate key issues of the maritime sector including ports of the future; decarbonisation; coastal shipping & Inland water transportation; shipbuilding; repair and recycling; finance, insurance & arbitration; maritime clusters; innovation & technology; maritime safety and security; and maritime tourism, among others. The summit will also provide an excellent platform for attracting investment in the maritime sector of the country.

The first Maritime India summit was held in 2016 at Mumbai. The Second Maritime Summit was held virtually in 2021.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi congratulated Prime Minister elect Christopher Luxon for his party’s win in the New Zealand’s General election.

In a X post, the Prime Minister said;

“Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister-elect @chrisluxonmp for his party’s win in the General Elections. Look forward to working together to further strengthen India-New Zealand ties.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Samau Shaheed Memorial and Library in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today.

At the beginning of his address, Shri Amit Shah wished all the countrymen a happy Navratri festival. He said that he had come to Samau during the last Navratri and performed Bhoomi Pujan of Shaheed Memorial and today, on the first day of Navratri, this Shaheed Memorial has been inaugurated. Shri Shah said that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji started initiatives to build memorials of countless unsung martyrs across the country who sacrificed their lives in the 90 years of freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947 and revive their history so that the youth and the new generation could draw inspiration from them. He said that 12 valiant heroes had sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle in Samau in November, 1857, but there was no memorial for them till 2022-23. The memorial inaugurated today will serve to immortalize their stories of bravery. He said that he wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Gujarat at that time that the Youth and Cultural Activities Department of the Gujarat Government should build a beautiful memorial with 12 pillars in the memory of those martyrs, so that when the national flag hoisting takes place on 15 August and 26 January every year, these martyrs are also respected. Along with this, a library should also be built to connect the youth with the history, language and culture of the country.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Youth & Cultural Activities Department of the Government of Gujarat has created a library of complete Gujarati grammar books, for which they deserve applaud. He said that by bringing children and youth towards this library, the future of Gujarat and the entire country will be improved. Shri Shah said that countless martyrs have made supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the country and Gujarati language will keep that culture and spirit alive with pride. He said that this modern library also houses many books related to computer education in digital form.

Shri Amit Shah said that it is the responsibility of teachers to direct students, youth and children towards this library. He said that teachers should work towards making children knowledgeable about the subject in which they are interested, which will provide good citizens to Gujarat and the country. Shri Shah said that Shri Narendra Modi had started the Vanche Gujarat campaign here and at that time had planned to enrich all the libraries of entire Gujarat, with the same inspiration the library of Samau village has been built. Along with this, reading facility for 100 students has been provided in the library.

Union Home Minister said that when the national flag will be hoisted here on every 15th August and 26th January, the souls of those 12 martyrs will find eternal peace. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India of the dreams of martyrs will occupy the highest position in the world. Shri Shah said that recently many works like G20 conference, construction of new Parliament building, landing of India’s Chandrayaan on the Moon, 33 percent reservation for ‘matrishakti’ in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies have been done in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri Amit Shah told the youth of Samau that the government can provide facilities but the work of maintaining those facilities will have to be done by the villagers and local youth. He said that a beautiful garden, martyr memorial and library have been built by the Gujarat government at an expense of about Rs.2 crore and a committee of youth can be formed to take care of them. Shri Shah said that if the youth do not take up this responsibility then this entire system will not be able to function properly. He said that if the youth take up this responsibility, it will be a true tribute to those martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the country. He said that we should carry forward the legacy of all those martyrs.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Navratri. Prime Minister also prayed to Maa Durga to bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune and good health in everyone’s life.

Moreover Shri Modi also bows at the feet of Maa Shailputri on the first day of Navratri. He has also sought the strength and prosperity for the citizens.

In a series of X posts, the Prime Minister said;

“देशवासियों को नवरात्रि की ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। शक्ति प्रदायिनी मां दुर्गा हर किसी के जीवन में सुख-समृद्धि, सौभाग्य और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य लेकर आएं। जय माता दी!”

“नवरात्रि के पहले दिन मां शैलपुत्री के चरणों में कोटि-कोटि वंदन। उनसे प्रार्थना है कि वे देश के जन-जन को शक्ति और समृद्धि का आशीर्वाद दें।”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai today. The Session provides an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing among the various stakeholders related to sports.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underlined the significance of the session taking place in India after 40 years. He also informed the audience about India’s victory in the Cricket World Cup fixture at the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad to the roar of cheers. “I congratulate Team Bharat and every Indian on this historic victory”, he said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that sports has been a vital part of India’s culture and lifestyle. When you go to the villages of India, the Prime Minister said, one can find that any festival remains incomplete without sports. “Indians are not just sports lovers, but we also live it”, Shri Modi said. He highlighted that the sporting culture is reflected through the thousands year old history of India. Be it the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Period or the era after it, the Prime Minister underlined that India’s sporting legacy has been very prosperous. He informed that scriptures written thousands of years ago mentioned being proficient in 64 genres including sports such as horse riding, swimming, archery wrestling etc. and emphasis was laid on excelling in them. He stated that a ‘Dhanur Veda Samhita’ i.e. a Code for Archery was published to learn the sport of archery which mentions 7 mandatory skills as a prerequisite to learn archery namely Dhanushvan, Chakra, Bhala, Fencing, Dagger, Mace and Wrestling.

The Prime Minister presented scientific evidence of this ancient sport legacy of India. He mentioned the Dholavira UNESCO World Heritage site and talked about sports infrastructure in the urban planning of this 5000-year-old city. In the excavation, the Prime Minister said, two stadiums were found, one of them being the oldest and biggest stadium in the world at that time. Similarly, in Rakhigarhi sports-related structures have been found. “This sporting legacy of India belongs to the entire world”, Shri Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said, “There are no losers in sports, only the winners and learners. The language and spirit of sports are universal. Sports is not mere competition. Sports gives humanity an opportunity to expand.” “That is why records are celebrated globally. Sports also strengthens the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth, One Family, One Future”, he added. The Prime Minister also listed recent measures for the development of sports in India. He mentioned Khelo India Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games, Member of Parliament sports competitions and the upcoming Khelo India Para Games. “We are focussing on inclusivity and diversity in sports in India”, the Prime Minister emphasized

The Prime Minister credited the efforts of the government for India’s shining performance in the world of sports. He recalled the magnificent performances of many athletes in the last edition of the Olympics and also highlighted India’s best-ever performance in the recently concluded Asian Games and the new records made by young athletes of India in the World University Games.  He underlined that the positive changes are a sign of the rapidly transforming landscape of sports in India.

Shri Modi emphasized that India has successfully proved its capability to organize global sports tournaments. He mentioned the recently hosted global tournaments such as the Chess Olympiad which witnessed the participation of 186 countries, the Football Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the Hockey World Cup, the Women’s World Boxing Championship, the Shooting World Cup and the ongoing Cricket World Cup. He also underlined that the nation organizes the largest cricket league in the world every year. The Prime Minister informed that the IOC Executive Board has recommended including Cricket in the Olympics and expressed confidence that the recommendations will be accepted.

Underling that global events are an opportunity for India to welcome the world, the Prime Minister emphasized that India is primed to host global events owing to its fast-expanding economy and well-developed infrastructure. He gave the example of the G20 Summit where events were organized in more than 60 cities of the country and said that it is proof of India’s organizing capacity in every sector. The Prime Minister put forth the belief of 140 crore citizens of India

“India is eager to host the Olympics in the country. India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organization of the Olympics in 2036, this is the dream of the 140 crore Indians”, the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that the nation wishes to fulfill this dream with the support of all stakeholders. “India is also eager to host the Youth Olympics taking place in the year 2029”, Shri Modi remarked and expressed confidence that the IOC will continue lending its support to India.

The Prime Minister said that “sports is not just for winning medals but is a medium to win hearts. Sports belongs to all for all. It not only prepares champions but also promotes peace, progress and wellness. Therefore, sports is another medium of uniting the world”. Once again welcoming the delegates, the Prime Minister declared the session open.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Thomas Bach and member of International Olympic Committee, Mrs Nita Ambani were present on the occasion among others.

Background 

The IOC session serves as a key meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members. Important decisions regarding the future of the Olympic games are made at the IOC Sessions. India is hosting the IOC session for the second time after a gap of about 40 years. The IOC’s 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983.

The 141st IOC Session, being held in India embodies the nation’s dedication to fostering global cooperation, celebrating sporting excellence and furthering the Olympic ideals of friendship, respect, and excellence. It provides an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing among the various sports-related stakeholders.

The session was also attended by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach and other members of the IOC, along with prominent Indian sports personalities and representatives from various sports federations, including the Indian Olympic Association.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the launch of ferry services between Nagapattinam, India and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that India and Sri Lanka are embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is an important milestone in strengthening the relations.

Underlining the shared history of culture, commerce and civilization between India and Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister pointed out that Nagapattinam and nearby towns have been known for sea trade with many countries including Sri Lanka and the historical port of Poompuhar finds a mention as a hub in ancient Tamil literature. He also spoke about Sangam age literature like Pattinappalai and Manimekalai which describe the movement of boats and ships between the two countries. He also touched upon the great poet Subramania Bharti’s song ‘Sindhu Nadhiyin Misai’, which mentions a bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka. He further added that the ferry service brings alive all those historical and cultural connections.

During the recent visit of President Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister informed that a vision document was jointly adopted for an economic partnership with the central theme of connectivity. “Connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer. It also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer”, Shri Modi said. He emphasized that connectivity enhances trade, tourism and people-to-people ties, while also creating new opportunities for the youth of both countries.

The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 when direct flights between Delhi and Colombo were launched. Later, the Prime Minister added, the landing of the first international flight in the pilgrim town of Kushinagar from Sri Lanka was also celebrated. He also informed that direct flights between Chennai and Jaffna began in 2019, and now the ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is yet another important step in this direction.

“Our vision for connectivity goes beyond the transport sector”, the Prime Minister emphasized as he underlined that India and Sri Lanka collaborate closely in a wide range of areas such as fin-tech and energy. Noting that digital payments have become a mass movement and a way of life in India due to UPI, Shri Modi informed that both governments are working on fin-tech sector connectivity by linking UPI and Lanka Pay. He also touched upon connecting the energy grids between the two nations to enhance energy security and reliability as energy security is crucial for the development journey of both India and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that partnership for progress and development is one of the strongest pillars of India – Sri Lanka’s bilateral relationship. “Our vision is to take development to everyone, leaving none behind”, he said. The Prime Minister stated that the projects implemented with Indian assistance in Sri Lanka have touched the lives of the people. He informed that several projects related to housing, water, health, and livelihood support have been completed in the Northern province and expressed delight in extending support for the upgradation of the Kankesanthurai Harbour. “Be it restoration of railway lines connecting North to South; construction of the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre; roll out of emergency ambulance service all across Sri Lanka; or the multi-speciality hospital at Dick Oya we are working with a vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”, Shri Modi added.

Speaking about the G20 Summit recently hosted by India, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which has been welcomed by the international community. He underlined that a part of this vision is giving priority to sharing progress and prosperity with the neighboring nations. He also mentioned the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during the G20 summit and stated that it is an important connectivity corridor that will create a massive economic impact on the whole region. He underlined that the people of Sri Lanka will also benefit from it as multimodal connectivity between our two countries is strengthened. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude and thanked the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the successful launch of the ferry service today. He also spoke about working towards resuming the ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. “India remains committed to working closely with Sri Lanka to further strengthen our bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of our people”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal released a “Compendium of PM GatiShakti” in New Delhi yesterday to mark the completion of two Years of PM GatiShakti. The Compendium consists of some of the best use cases showcasing adoption and benefits of PM GatiShakti across the country. The Compendium was released in the presence of Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Sh. Som Parkash, Special Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Smt. Sumita Dawra and other senior officers.

Over the past two years, PM GatiShakti has been pivotal in planning more than 7,000 kilometres of expressways, with digital surveys through GIS maps expediting field surveys. The year 2022-23 witnessed a remarkable increase in Final Location Surveys (FLS) for new railway lines, with over 400 projects, compared to just 57 the previous year, resulting in the planning of a staggering 13,500 kilometres of railway lines. The platform has also revolutionized the preparation of detailed surveys for petroleum and natural gas pipelines, reducing the process from 6-9 months to just a few hours, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation by minimizing deforestation.

In this compendium, eight exemplary use cases vividly illustrate the extensive adoption and profound benefits of PM GatiShakti throughout the country. These cases encompass a wide array of projects, including the planning of expressways and Multimodal Logistics Parks by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, rail connectivity planning by the Ministry of Railways, planning of green energy corridors by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and initiatives like setting up schools in unserved areas of Uttar Pradesh, etc. This compendium will serve as an important resource demonstrating the benefits and utility of PM GatiShakti to stakeholders and promote wider adoption.

Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi the implementation of PM GatiShakti is achieving new heights. It is facilitating development of Next Generation Infrastructure, Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.

PM GatiShakti represents a groundbreaking approach to infrastructure planning by harnessing data for informed decision-making. This strategy employs multiple layers of data, which can be integrated on GIS maps to streamline digital surveys, revolutionizing the infrastructure planning process and significantly reducing field survey time and project timelines. It offers complete visibility of connectivity points, mitigates investment risks, simplifies governance for multimillion-dollar projects, and promotes economic and social connectivity.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said, after the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and the unlocking of Space sector by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, ‘sky is not  the limit’ for India’s Space journey.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was delivering the inaugural cum  keynote address at ‘Campus Dialogue’ on Chandrayaan 3 under the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @2047′ at the Central University of Jammu today.

While interacting with the academia and students, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, India’s quantum leap in space research with India’s space economy standing at $8 billion has been only possible due to the courageous decision taken by PM Narendra Modi to unlock the space sector from the shackles of the past.

 India’s Space economy projected to grow beyond $40 Billion by 2040 and as per ADL (Arthur D Little) Report, India’s space economy has the potential to go beyond $100 Billion by 2040, which is going to be a gigantic jump, Dr. Jitendra Singh added.

On the successful conduct of the G20 Summit and Chandrayaan-3 Mission, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India today is at par with countries, such as the United States which commenced their space journey decades before us. Stating that India has made a quantum jump in its space journey in the last nine years, the Minister said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has created a supportive ecosystem. He added that the space sector has been opened for public private participation, with a swift increase in number of Space StartUps.

Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Government of India has embarked on a mission to open Space Technology Teaching Centres in higher educational institutions. In this regard, the Minister mentioned the ISRO Teaching Centre established at the Central University of Jammu. A similar centre has also been set up at NIT, Agartala in Northeast,  he informed.

Enumerating the salient features of the National Education Policy 2020,  Dr Jitendra Singh stated that India’s youth are no more “prisoners of their aspiration” as the Policy now empowers them to choose or change subjects freely depending on their aptitude,skill, interest and other factors.

Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu and Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu were among those who also spoke on the occasion.