New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said more than 3,000 villages across the country have been provided electricity in around 100 days by the government.

"Against a target of 1,900, we have electrified over 3,000 villages in around 100 days," Modi said at the inaugural function of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2015 here.

He said: "Even after 70 years of freedom, India has 18,000 villages which do not have even an electricity pole."

He also said the pending work on core industry projects, including coal and power industry, has begun and "power generation capacity in India is growing annually at 8.5 percent".

Modi also announced that two new railway engine factories will be set up in Bihar. He said, "We are building railway engines and the two factories will be set up in Bihar". He said that the development of eastern part cannot be ignored as it has got a lot of potentials.

"Every state has its own USP and work needs to be done in such a way that the world gets to know India beyond metros," he added.

PM announced that east India will be linked with a gas grid for the first time.

With elections coming in Bengal in 2017 and in Assam next year, east India will be the focus point and the government is trying to make efforts for the people of this region.

(IANS)