Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and initiated several development projects in Gujarat with a combined value of approximately ₹35,000 crore. At the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi emphasized the government’s focus on enhancing infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities. He criticized the former Congress-led administration for delays in executing major infrastructure initiatives, contrasting this with the recent completion of India’s extensive 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors, which he hailed as a significant advancement for the nation’s transport system.
During his speech, Modi addressed critics of the freight corridor project, whom he humorously referred to as “Naraz Fufa” or “angry uncle.” He defended the project by highlighting its potential to reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics costs, thereby strengthening trade and offering benefits to farmers through quicker transportation of agricultural goods to key markets. Modi proudly noted that over 430 freight trains now operate daily on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, enabling journeys that once took about 30 hours by road to be completed in merely 10-12 hours via the dedicated rail network.
The Prime Minister also took a political jab at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach program, cautioning young people against what he termed “Jhooth Ki Goonj” or “echo of lies.” Modi urged the youth to gain expertise in artificial intelligence and pointed to the burgeoning opportunities in sectors such as renewable and nuclear energy. He elaborated on India’s progress in domestic manufacturing since 2014, particularly in the production of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons, alongside advancements in solar manufacturing, with rooftop solar installations reaching 55 lakh families, including about 11 lakh households in Gujarat.
Highlighting the broader economic impact, Modi stated that infrastructure development across various sectors—railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing—is generating substantial employment opportunities. He remarked on India’s efforts to build the necessary energy and technology ecosystem to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and other advanced industries. Modi’s address underscored a vision of a developed India, propelled by strategic investments in infrastructure and technology.