Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized the need for energy self-reliance and a faster transition to green energy, citing a 'decade of disasters' marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing West Asia-driven energy shock. Speaking at an event in Surat, where he laid foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth over Rs 18,000 crore, Modi said global supply-chain volatility has made energy security central to India's development agenda.
Energy Security and Green Initiatives
Modi highlighted steps such as expansion of solar power, ethanol blending, nuclear energy, and upgrades to the power transmission network as part of building domestic resilience. 'This decade has been a decade of disasters. First it was Covid-19, then there was war (Russia-Ukraine) and now energy crisis which has caused a global upheaval where gas supply chains have got disrupted. At such a time, I am satisfied with the way in which 140 crore Indians have responded, and the country is strongly facing the situation. We want to overcome this challenge as well,' he told the gathering at the Surat Indoor Stadium.
The Prime Minister noted that India's renewable energy capacity stands at 250 GW, with Gujarat accounting for about 50 GW. 'We never thought beyond but India's 250 GW. India is among the top 5 countries in the world for solar power generation and the government has boosted ethanol blending capacities, nuclear power production and has modernised energy transmission network. Our capabilities in future will further increase,' said Modi. He expressed confidence that Gujarat will play a big role in green ammonia and green hydrogen production.
Political Attack on Congress
Alongside the energy pitch, the Prime Minister targeted the Congress party, accusing it of 'spreading chaos, uncertainty and despair' and of mocking the resolve of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. He claimed people in states ruled by the Congress were dissatisfied and referred to political developments including leadership change in Karnataka. 'For the past 12 years, Congress has been spreading chaos, uncertainty and despair and the people have been consistently giving it a befitting reply. The message from the people is clear – Congress' politics of pessimism and chaos has been rejected by the people,' Modi said.
He added that during his recent 5-nation tour, the West Bengal assembly election result was being discussed. 'The BJP has been winning local body elections in Congress ruled states. In Gujarat, you have pushed the Congress to the political periphery. People of Congress-ruled states also do not approve of the Congress' policies. The party has had to change its CM in Karnataka,' Modi said, referring to the change of leadership in the Congress-ruled state.
Defence and Infrastructure Projects
During the visit, Modi toured Larsen and Toubro's manufacturing facility, where officials briefed him on defence equipment, including 'Zorawar' light tanks being developed by DRDO and L7T Defence. He cited Hazira near Surat as an example of an ecosystem combining energy, steel, defence production and global trade, aligning it with the broader self-reliance narrative. The Rs 18,000 crore package unveiled in Surat included NHAI projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore, energy and petrochemicals projects worth Rs 4,950 crore, Rs 1,063 crore projects of GIDC, and works linked to health, urban development and panchayat departments.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, speaking at the event, urged Modi not to reduce his security cover as part of austerity measures, saying it was 'paramount' for the state.
