Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for increased investment in nuclear power as India prepares for a sharp rise in electricity demand driven by emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centres, semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing.

Speaking in Bangalore while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth more than ₹15,000 crore, Modi said India’s ambitions to become a global leader in advanced technologies would require a reliable and abundant supply of electricity.

“India is moving forward with the aim of achieving leadership in new technologies… For this, the country must have adequate electricity… To achieve clean energy, India is also increasing the number of its nuclear power plants,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that India’s renewable energy capacity has surpassed 300 GW and said the government is pursuing a balanced energy strategy that combines renewable power with nuclear generation.

He emphasised that energy security has become increasingly important amid global geopolitical uncertainties, including tensions in West Asia, making it essential for India to diversify its energy sources and strengthen long-term supply resilience.

Modi stated that the government is reinforcing the country’s energy security through investments in domestic fuel production, strategic crude oil reserves, renewable energy projects and the expansion of nuclear power infrastructure.

He indicated that nuclear energy would play a crucial role in providing dependable low-carbon electricity for energy-intensive industries of the future.

Among the projects launched in Karnataka were three major energy initiatives. An LPG facility in Bangalore will add 80,000 metric tons of storage capacity, improving fuel availability and logistics.

The MRPL Devangonthi Marketing Terminal is expected to streamline the distribution of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, while a new compressed biogas plant in Bangalore will produce around 13 tons of biogas every day.

The biogas facility is also expected to strengthen waste management efforts and reduce dependence on imported natural gas, supporting the government’s wider objectives of cleaner energy and greater self-reliance.

Highlighting the transition towards distributed clean energy generation, Modi said government schemes are enabling households to become electricity producers rather than merely consumers. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, more than 60 lakh homes have installed rooftop solar systems, including over 40,000 households in Karnataka. According to the Prime Minister, beneficiaries received financial assistance of around ₹80,000 per family.

He also pointed to the PM-KUSUM initiative, under which more than eight lakh solar-powered pumps are supporting agricultural irrigation, helping farmers reduce reliance on conventional energy sources while lowering operating costs.

Addressing household finances, Modi said recent economic measures were designed to increase savings and enhance purchasing power among middle-class families. He cited income tax exemptions for annual earnings up to ₹12 lakh, reforms to tax deducted at source provisions and next-generation GST reforms aimed at leaving more money in the hands of citizens.

He further noted that the removal of GST on individual health and life insurance policies would make essential financial protection products more affordable for families across the country.

The Prime Minister said that investment in infrastructure remains central to India’s development strategy, arguing that improved connectivity creates opportunities for economic growth, employment generation and industrial expansion.

As part of the visit, Modi inaugurated the 7.5-km elevated section of Bangalore Metro’s Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. The new stretch is expected to improve access to the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, educational institutions, technology hubs and commercial districts.

He highlighted the rapid growth of Namma Metro, noting that the network has expanded from 17 km in 2014 to more than 100 km, making Bangalore only the third urban region in India, after Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, to cross the 100-km metro milestone.

Calling Bangalore the “Silicon Valley of India”, Modi said the city contributes more than one-third of the country’s IT exports and remains a major driver of innovation, technology development and economic growth.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the ongoing modernisation of Indian Railways, saying the network is moving beyond outdated systems and embracing infrastructure that reflects India’s modern aspirations and cultural identity.

He added that Karnataka’s railway budget allocation has increased nine fold over the past decade.

Modi further announced that the new Vande Bharat service linking Bangalore with India’s western coastal region and Goa would provide passengers with a significantly faster and more efficient travel option, complementing the broader push to strengthen connectivity, infrastructure and economic development across Karnataka and the country.

Agencies