Jaipur, Aug 18 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth around Rs 3,500 crore across the state and flagged off 71 PM e-buses to promote clean, affordable and sustainable public transport.
Addressing a gathering at HCM RIPA in Jaipur, Sharma said the initiatives reflect the “Double Engine” government’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and will contribute to the goal of building a Developed Rajasthan by 2047.
The Chief Minister said electric mobility is emerging as a key pillar of economic growth, energy security and a pollution-free future. He highlighted the expansion of charging infrastructure, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile sector and the PM e-DRIVE scheme as major measures strengthening India’s electric vehicle ecosystem.
Of the 71 buses, 24 e-buses for Jaipur and Bhilwara were flagged off physically from Jaipur, while 47 e-buses for Alwar, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur were launched virtually. The buses are expected to provide citizens with an affordable, comfortable and environment-friendly mode of public transportation.
During the event, the government transferred more than Rs 154 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 1,32,421 workers and their dependents under various Labour Department schemes. The government also distributed digital gas detectors and fire rescue kits to workers.
Among the projects inaugurated were a 128-slice CT scanner and a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine at RUHS, Jaipur; an undergraduate hostel costing over Rs 18 crore; and the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at SMS Hospital’s Ayushman Tower. The government also inaugurated a new IPD Tower at Janana Hospital, Chandpole, costing more than Rs 51 crore.
Other projects included sub-health centres at Abhaypur and Rehlana, a 300-trainee women’s hostel at the Rajasthan Police Academy costing over Rs 12 crore, and road works in Ajmer worth around Rs 24 crore. The government also inaugurated 506 toilets, including 395 Pink Toilets, across urban local bodies at a cost exceeding Rs 109 crore, besides LED street-light and other development works in 57 urban local bodies.
Foundation stones were laid for 76 waste-management projects worth more than Rs 625 crore. Jaipur also launched sewerage projects worth over Rs 465 crore under AMRUT 2.0. These works will involve laying more than 507 km of sewer lines and are expected to benefit around 13 lakh people through sewer connections for nearly 52,000 households.
The government announced seven traffic improvement projects worth Rs 81 crore in Jaipur, including underpasses, U-turns, and subways at key locations. The plan also included traffic development works worth around Rs 60 crore to connect Tonk Road and Mahal Road.
Other major initiatives included a rooftop solar project over the Dravyavati River, costing more than Rs 35 crore, and a satellite hospital in Jhotwara.
Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra said the state government is focusing on basic infrastructure, including water, electricity, roads, education, healthcare and employment, to make Rajasthan a developed state.
