Gandhinagar, Jan 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that his government has initiated a number of steps in the last two-and-a-half years, including doubling of the budget to develop the Railways, which was 'unfortunately' used as 'Revadi' (a kind of semi-solid sweet made of condensed milk) of sorts during the period of coalition governments at the Centre. After laying the foundation stone of Rs 250 crore Gandhinagar railway station building reconstruction project in presence of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Governor OP Kohali and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Mr Modi said, 'Railways is related to commoners and it supports even poor families but unfortunately it was left at its own fate. And during the period of coalition governments at Delhi, Railway ministry was used like 'Revadi' (sweet offer) for political parties in lieu of support to the government. Without naming Lalu Yadav or any other former railway minister in such coalition governments Mr Modi said, It was a hard truth that the railway ministry was used as a revadi or sweet-offer to form the government. The consequence was it that whichever party got it, showed least concern for it and what happened then is needless to say. During that time many parties used to put condition of taking railway ministry to be the coalition government partner' 'Our government has given priority to the development, expansion and modernization of railways keeping in view how it can help common man and bring about qualitative change in his life. We have doubled the rail budget. Earlier the pace of doubling, gauge change, electrification of tracks was slow but now it has been doubled or trebled. The electrification work is being done quickly and in large proportion to get rid of dependency on coal and diesel, import of which caused in expenditure of large amount and foreign currency and also adds to pollution,' he said adding that the largest FDI in independent India has come in Railways. The Prime Minister said that bio toilets have been adopted for cleanliness while work on special mission mode was being carried out to safely increase the speed of trains. Safety was a big concern and as the technology across the word has advanced, safety can be achieved. For that more budget will be needed to move in the direction of development of making safer coaches. He also stressed on the need to increase the percentage of goods transport through railways. 'In other parts of the world 70 % of goods are transported through railways and 30 % through roads but in India 70% is carried through roads which is costlier mode of transportation. If the percentage of carriage through railway increased it will be cheaper. We have initiated steps in this direction and even a special lighter container to transport salt has been designed. The mines, ports and far away places will be connected with railway.,' he said. Mr Modi said that his government has started the successful experiment of making hotels, malls etc in the sky above rail tracks and railway stations situated in the expensive areas in the heart of cities. It will increase the income of railways and draw more investment. In future thousand of such station buildings can be developed. He said that today 70% people were buying rail tickets online, the wi-fi on railway stations are even benefiting students by providing free internet services for their studies. Google and other giants now say that the potential of wi-fi services on Indian railway stations was vast. The development of railway in turn is development of the country. He said that he was giving the gift of Gandhinagar railway station re-construction to Gujarat. Mr Modi said that when he first inaugurated Mahatma Mandir (the venue of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit), he had predicted that one day the whole world will discuss peace here. Now with the modern railway station and a ground for international exhibitions at Helipad ground Gandhinagar would have a potential to become a 'magnetic center' of India in business. Hopefully Mahatma Mandir would remain occupied for 300 days out of 365 days of a year. Earlier when Mr Modi started his speech he in his typical style asked 'how are you' to the audience in Gujarati. To which the crowd replied with a cheerful uproar. he then said that he was also fine and the country too was fine (hoon pan maja ma ane desh pan maja ma). Mr Modi who arrived here today on today visit of Gujarat earlier also inaugurated the Global Gujarat Trade show here and later started the international stock exchange of BSE ltd in presence of union minister of state for finance Arjun Ram Meghwal , Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Chairman SEBI U C Sinha, Chairman BSE S Rao and other dignitaries from finance and industry world. The exchange named India Inc situated in GIFT city, the only IFSC in the country, will be the fastest in the world with only 4 micro second of median trade time. He said that such projects will help make India a power in financial sector and create jobs. He also said that India needs to create 30 crore jobs in next 20 years. He also said that GIFT city would help other smart cities develop in better way. The Prime Minister inaugurated the first Nobel laureates series exhibition in science city at Ahmedabad. Nine former Nobel prize winners from across the world mainly from the field of science and technology were participating in the five week long exhibition. Mr Modi will inaugurate the 8th edition of biennial Vibrant Gujarat Global summit tomorrow in which presidents of Kenya and Rwanda, prime ministers of Serbia and Portugal and deputy PM's of Russia and Poland along with large number of other dignitaries and Industry leaders are participating. He will also take part in the Global CEO summit tomorrow evening, in which around 60 CEO's of leading Indian and foreign companies will participate. UNI RAJ RJ 2140