Committed to increase power generation, worked on civil nuclear deal with US, says PM Modi

New Delhi: Underlining the importance of generating more power and energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India had worked on a civil nuclear deal during the visit of US President Barack Obama.

"Power generation has increased by around 11 percent in past nine to ten months; we are committed to working on all sources of power generation. We worked on Civil Nuclear deal during the visit of US President Obama. Only power generation cannot protect our future, it is also our responsibility to ensure prosperity of our future generations," said PM Modi.

"The power of your blessings is such that your dreams will definitely come true. You have gathered in huge numbers on the occasion of Holi to extend your blessings, I extend my greetings to all. Energy has become an integral part of our lives, depriving anyone of energy will be equal to pushing them back in the Stone Age," he said.

"Thousand of villages are still deprived of electricity; there isn't a single house of any rich person where power hasn't reached. Shouldn't poor of the nation also get electricity? But power can't reach everywhere until it is generated. I asked how many times has a Prime Minister has come here. I was told twice in 10 years. I have already visited twice. The amount of power that used to be generated when BJP formed its Govt in Madhya Pradesh, will be now produced by these units alone," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Singaji Thermal Power Project at Dongliya village in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa District.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The first phase of the Singaji Thermal Power project is of 1200 mega watt capacity.

The project will give impetus to the state government's 'Atal Jyoti Abhiyan', which aims at providing 24 X 7 power supply across the state.