New Delhi, 15 December (H.S.): Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the remarkable progress of India’s energy sector over the past eleven years stands as living proof that bold vision, honest intent, and consistent hard work can transform the destiny of a nation.

Addressing a press conference at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, Goyal reflected on India’s journey from an era of energy shortages and scandals to one of self-reliance and global leadership. Sharing details of this transformation in a post on social media platform ‘X’, he wrote that his discussion with media colleagues was an opportunity to highlight the “transformational journey of India’s energy sector under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Goyal said that before 2014, India’s power sector was plagued by corruption, coal shortages, and frequent power cuts, symbolizing inefficiency and mismanagement. However, under Prime Minister Modi’s dynamic guidance, the country has made decisive strides toward energy self-sufficiency.

He emphasized that in the last 11 years, India has witnessed record coal production, unprecedented expansion in solar and wind power, a strengthened national power grid, universal household electrification, and an extensive gas pipeline network— all of which, he said, reflect the government’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and service to the poor.

Goyal outlined five core pillars of India’s power sector transformation: universal access, affordability, availability, financial viability, and sustainability coupled with global responsibility. He highlighted that India’s robust national power grid has made the country an attractive hub for data centers and global investments due to its reliable energy infrastructure.

Marking the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Union Minister paid tribute to India’s “Iron Man,” describing him as a far-sighted leader who envisioned a politically, economically, and strategically strong India.

“Today, the nation not only remembers Sardar Patel’s strength but also his vision for an India that stands firmly on its own feet,” Goyal said.

Drawing a sharp contrast, the Minister remarked that during the Congress and UPA governments, India’s energy sector had become synonymous with blackouts and inefficiency. Under Prime Minister Modi’s administration, however, electricity has reached every household seamlessly, symbolizing empowerment and development.

Expressing optimism for the future, Goyal said, “As India moves confidently towards the vision of a developed nation by 2047, our energy sector will serve as a global case study in scaling innovation, speed, and sustainability simultaneously.”

The Minister concluded that India’s story of energy reform is not just about power generation — it is about powering aspirations, ensuring inclusivity, and proving that decisive governance can illuminate an entire nation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar