On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects in Gujarat, collectively valued at approximately ₹35,000 crore. During the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and boosting the manufacturing sector. He took the opportunity to criticize the previous Congress-led administration for what he described as delays in executing critical infrastructure initiatives.
Highlighting a significant achievement, Modi pointed to the completion of India’s 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation’s transportation network. He addressed the critics of the freight corridor project, humorously dubbing them “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle), and argued that the modern freight system would cut travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics expenses. This development, he noted, would fortify trade and provide substantial benefits to farmers by facilitating quicker transport of agricultural products to key markets.
The Prime Minister detailed the operational success of more than 430 freight trains on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, highlighting a significant reduction in freight journey times. He explained that trips that previously required about 30 hours by road are now achievable in 10 to 12 hours via the dedicated rail network. In a political jab, Modi also addressed Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach efforts, cautioning young people to be wary of what he termed “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (echo of lies), while urging them to gain expertise in artificial intelligence and explore opportunities in renewable and nuclear energy sectors.
Since 2014, Modi reported, India has considerably increased its domestic production of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons. He also underscored the growth in solar manufacturing, noting that rooftop solar installations have reached 55 lakh families, with around 11 lakh of these households located in Gujarat. Modi emphasized that the development of infrastructure in areas such as railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing is generating vast employment opportunities.
Concluding his address, Modi emphasized India’s efforts to construct the energy and technology framework necessary to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and other advanced industries. This comprehensive approach to development is intended to create a robust ecosystem that supports both economic growth and technological innovation.