New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi India on Sunday urged “strict restrictions” on the use of petrol, diesel and natural gas, saying reducing reliance on imported fuels would help India limit the impact of the ongoing war.He was addressing a rally in Hyderabad after the virtual inauguration and foundation stone laying of projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore in Telangana, Prime Minister Modi Stating that prudent consumption of petroleum products is now a necessity in the country. “But, today, we also need to strictly limit the use of gasoline, natural gas, diesel, etc. We can only use imported petroleum products as needed. This will not only save foreign exchange but also reduce the adverse effects of the war,” he said.
He also mentioned the importance of energy security, saying, “What is the importance of energy security…everyone in the world is feeling it today. That is why our central government has made unprecedented investments in India’s energy security. In recent years, India has ranked among the top countries in the world in the field of solar energy.”The prime minister also highlighted India’s push for alternative and clean energy over the past few years, pointing to rapid growth in solar power capacity, ethanol blending in gasoline and the expansion of natural gas infrastructure.The Center first worked towards achieving near-universal LPG coverage and is now working to expand affordable pipeline gas supply and promote CNG-based transportation systems, he said. He said these efforts help India respond more effectively to the current global energy crisis.He also said that the country is making rapid progress in reforms and infrastructure development while ensuring continued support for Telangana’s growth.The projects announced on Sunday cover road, rail, oil and textile infrastructure. Major initiatives include construction of four-lane National Highway 167 between Gudbelur and Mahabubnagar in the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor and infrastructure development in Zaheerabad Industrial Area in Sangareddy district.Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated parts of the Kazipet-Vijayawada Railway Multi-track Project, Greenfield Oil and Lubricants Terminal at Hyderabad, Kazipet Railway Underground Bypass and the Prime Minister’s MITRA Park (also known as Kakatiya Mega Textile Park) in Warangal.The textile park, expected to cost around Rs 1,700 crore, is the country’s first fully operational PM MITRA park and aims to integrate the textile value chain in line with the Centre’s ‘5F’ vision (Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign).Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar attended the event held at the International Convention Center in Hyderabad.
