On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects in Gujarat, valued at around ₹35,000 crore. During the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi underscored the government’s commitment to advancing infrastructure and manufacturing in the country. He highlighted the recent completion of India’s 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors as a significant achievement in enhancing the nation’s transport network.
In his address, Modi criticized the previous Congress-led government, accusing it of delays in implementing key infrastructure initiatives. He also rebutted critics of the freight corridor project, whom he humorously referred to as “Naraz Fufa” or “angry uncle.” According to Modi, the modern freight network is poised to slash travel time, reduce fuel consumption, and lower logistics costs. This development is expected to bolster trade and enable farmers to transport their produce to major markets more swiftly.
The Prime Minister emphasized that more than 430 freight trains are now operational daily on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors. He pointed out that freight journeys, which used to take about 30 hours by road, can now be completed in just 10 to 12 hours via the dedicated rail network. In a political jab, Modi mentioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach efforts, cautioning young Indians against what he called “Jhooth Ki Goonj” or “echo of lies.” He encouraged the youth to develop skills in artificial intelligence and identified growth opportunities in sectors like renewable and nuclear energy.
Modi highlighted the expansion of domestic manufacturing of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons since 2014. He also noted advancements in solar energy production, with rooftop solar installations now reaching 55 lakh families, including about 11 lakh households in Gujarat alone. Modi outlined the wide-ranging infrastructure development across railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing, asserting that these projects are generating substantial employment opportunities. Furthermore, he stated that India is building the necessary energy and technology ecosystem to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and other emerging industries.