Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Bihar, dedicated to the nation the Madhepura electric locomotive facility, as he flagged off the first engine manufactured there through a remote device from Motihari. In the region to participate in the concluding celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha's centenary celebrations, Modi addressed 20,000 'swachhagrahis', and laid the foundation stone for four sewerage projects. Theme of the celebrations was 'Satyagrah se Swachhagrah'.
The electric locomotive facility marks a transformation for rail freight movement in India and the region of Madhepura. A joint venture between French multinational company Alstom and the Indian Railways, the electric locomotive is a double section locomotive capable of hauling 6000 tonnes at a maximum speed of 120 kmph. It has 12,000 horsepower that allows faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains across the country. Spread across 250 acres of land, the factory is set up at an estimated cost of over Rs 20,000 Crores, and would generate six lakh mandays of work for local residents.
The Champaran Satyagraha was first held in 1917, in the Champaran district of Bihar during the British rule. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement gathered people from the whole nation moving towards the region. Addressing the mass, Modi called all participants and the audiences 'Swachhagrahis'. He stated how the same situation is being witnessed today. Modi remembers important names of Gandhi, Rajkumar Shukla, Rajendra Prasad, and paid respect to the efforts made by them to achieve the present. Modi discussed the Rs 100 Crore project named 'Amrit' that aims to provide clean and drinking water. He also talked about different projects and initiatives that are launched and have been launched to make Bihar more progressive.
Modi talked about the 12,000 horsepower engines, stating it will significantly improve the speed of goods trains. He also made announcements about the various projects from the provision of LPG connectivity to the inauguration of a new train to be named the Champaran Hamsafar Express. He further added that 50 Lakh women were benefited from LPG connections through the Ujjwala Yojana in state.
