Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to use petroleum products wisely amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. During his speech at an event in Hyderabad where he inaugurated development projects worth about $100 million $9,400 crore In Telangana, Modi stressed the need for restraint in fuel consumption, as India largely imports fuel.
His remarks come as India faces an energy crisis caused by the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which has disrupted supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global route for oil transit.
“…Today, the urgent need of the day is also to use petrol, gas, diesel and such things with extreme restraint. We have to use imported oil products only as needed. This will not only save foreign exchange but will reduce the negative impact of war,” Modi said.
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Modi also highlighted India’s rapid progress in the field of renewable and alternative energy, noting that the country has emerged among the world’s leading countries in solar energy generation. He said that unprecedented strides have been made in blending ethanol with gasoline as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Emphasizing the government’s multi-pronged energy strategy, Modi said the focus was initially on achieving universal LPG coverage and is now shifting towards expanding piped gas supply at affordable prices. He added that the center is also actively promoting an ecosystem based on compressed natural gas to diversify energy sources.
Launching the projects in Telangana, Modi said India is moving ahead with rapid reforms today and also building modern infrastructure.
The projects include the four-lane National Highway 167 from Jodipilur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor, and the development of Zaheerabad Industrial Estate in Sangareddy district.
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He also inaugurated several infrastructure projects, such as sections of the Kazipet-Vijayawada multi-track railway project, Greenfield Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) terminal in Hyderabad, Kazipet Railway Under Rail Corridor, and PM Mitra Park in Warangal, also known as Kakatiya Mega Textile Park.
Built at an estimated cost of approx $The Rs 1,700-crore Kakatiya Mega Textile Park is the first fully operational PM MITRA park in India. It is designed to activate the center’s “5F” vision – from farm to fiber to factory to fashion for foreigners – which aims to strengthen the textile value chain and boost exports.
(with PTI inputs)
