Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan during the foundation stone laying function for a Rs 4,000-crore SEZ project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai on August 16. Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan during the foundation stone laying function for a Rs 4,000-crore SEZ project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai on August 16. Photo: PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan during the foundation stone laying function for a Rs 4,000-crore SEZ project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai on August 16. Photo: PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday declared that his government was aiming to provide 24-hour power supply across every nook and corner of the country.

While outlining his vision for infrastructure development with a nationwide network of roads, power transmission lines and power and water grids, Modi also equated saving of electricity with service to the nation.

"The dream of my government is to provide electricity all seven days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to every village," Modi said addressing a gathering after dedicating to the nation 765KV Solapur - Raichur transmission lines and four laning of Pune-Solapur section of NH-9.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for four-laning of Solapur-Maharashtra/Karnataka Border Section of NH-9.

"Electricity is produced and then supplied but one more important task is that of saving it. Some people think that to serve the country one has to become MLA or MP or join the defence forces. Saving electricity it is also a big service to the country," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari lights the lamp during the foundation stone laying function for a Rs 4,000-crore SEZ project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai on August 16. Photo: PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari lights the lamp during the foundation stone laying function for a Rs 4,000-crore SEZ project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai on August 16. Photo: PTI

He asked the students and youth to check their monthly electricity bills and discuss with family members about how to bring down the consumption. "Let us pledge to conserve electricity. It will help our families the most. We should consider it our national duty," the Prime Minister said.

"Generating electricity is expensive but saving it is easy and by this we can make a big difference," he said.

Modi also shared the concern of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over power plants in the state remaining idle due to shortage of coal and gas.

"As Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan was saying, I can understand the problem. I said the same thing (about non availability of coal and gas) when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat but nobody paid heed.

"Now it is our responsibility. I will not run away from the responsibility. Using innovative technology, coal excavation would be done without adversely affecting the environment and we will work towards ensuring that power reaches every corner of the country," he said.