Bengaluru, Nov 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the measures taken over the past decade to strengthen India’s energy security have helped the country manage challenges arising from the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Speaking in Bengaluru on Friday after inaugurating and launching development projects worth more than Rs 15,600 crore across Karnataka, Modi said the conflict involving Iran and the Gulf region had highlighted the importance of a reliable and secure energy supply.
He said India had strengthened its energy infrastructure by increasing domestic production capacity for petrol, diesel and LPG, developing crude oil storage facilities and expanding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
According to the Prime Minister, these measures have helped India face the current energy crisis with greater confidence.
Karnataka Projects to Strengthen India’s Energy Security
Modi said three major energy-related projects launched in Karnataka would further strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure.
The new LPG facility in Mangaluru will increase India’s LPG storage capacity by 80,000 metric tonnes. The Devangonthi Marketing Terminal at Dodda Dasarahalli in Bengaluru will improve the organised supply of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.
The Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Bengaluru will produce around 13 tonnes of biogas every day. The facility is expected to support better waste management and reduce India’s dependence on imported natural gas.
The Prime Minister said these projects would contribute to India’s long-term energy security while supporting sustainable development.
India’s Renewable Energy Capacity Crosses 300 GW
Modi announced that India’s renewable energy capacity has crossed 300 gigawatts (GW). He said the government was also expanding nuclear power generation to achieve the country’s clean energy targets.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, more than 60 lakh families across India have installed rooftop solar systems. Karnataka accounts for over 40,000 of these installations. The Centre has provided financial assistance of approximately Rs 80,000 to each beneficiary family, he said.
Similarly, under the PM-KUSUM scheme, more than eight lakh solar pumps are supporting irrigation facilities for farmers in Karnataka.
Modi said these initiatives were helping farmers and households reduce electricity expenses while creating opportunities for additional income and employment.
India Focuses on AI, Semiconductors and Emerging Technologies
The Prime Minister said India was working towards becoming a global leader in emerging technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, shipbuilding and quantum computing.
He stressed that reliable electricity infrastructure would be essential to support the country’s ambitions in these sectors.
Modi added that the government’s development initiatives since 2014 had contributed to the expansion of India’s middle class, which was becoming an important driver of economic growth.
Bengaluru Metro Network Crosses 100 Kilometres
Speaking about Bengaluru’s infrastructure development, Modi said the newly inaugurated Metro Pink Line would improve public transport and connectivity across the city.
He noted that Bengaluru, often described as India’s Silicon Valley, accounts for more than one-third of the country’s IT exports and remains a major centre for innovation and economic activity.
According to Modi, Namma Metro had a network of just 17 kilometres in 2014. Its total network has now expanded to more than 100 kilometres.
He said Bengaluru had become the third metropolitan region in India, after Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, to cross the 100-kilometre mark in its Metro network.
Vande Bharat Train Connects Bengaluru and Madgaon
The Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express service from Bengaluru to Madgaon via Mangaluru.
He said Indian Railways was moving beyond its colonial-era legacy and developing a modern identity through improved railway stations, locomotives and coaches.
Modi said Vande Bharat trains and Amrit Bharat stations reflected India’s efforts to modernise railway infrastructure.
He also informed the gathering that Karnataka had received its first Vande Bharat sleeper train.
PM Modi Highlights Relief Measures for Middle-Class Families
Modi said improved connectivity and energy security were essential for India’s economic development. He added that growing consumer demand was creating opportunities in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, tourism and services.
The Prime Minister said the government was focusing on increasing middle-class savings, strengthening purchasing power and helping families achieve their financial goals.
He highlighted several tax-related measures, including changes to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) rules for senior citizens and individuals earning rental income.
He also said next-generation GST reforms had reduced the cost of several everyday goods. Removing GST on personal health and life insurance, he added, had made insurance more affordable.
During the event, Modi also praised Karnataka Governor Sudha Yadav for her service to the nation as the widow of a Kargil war hero.
