Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects valued at approximately ₹35,000 crore in Gujarat on Tuesday, emphasizing the government’s efforts to boost infrastructure and manufacturing. During the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi criticized the previous Congress-led administration for delays in major infrastructure initiatives, highlighting the completion of India’s 2,800-kilometer dedicated freight corridors as a significant advancement in the nation’s transport network.
Modi addressed critics of the freight corridor project, humorously referring to them as “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle), and asserted that the modern freight network would streamline travel, cut fuel consumption, and lower logistics costs. He also noted the benefits for trade and agriculture, with faster transportation of produce to key markets. The Prime Minister pointed out that over 430 freight trains now operate daily on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, reducing travel time for freight journeys from about 30 hours by road to just 10–12 hours via the rail network.
In a political jab, Modi referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach efforts, cautioning young people against what he termed “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (echo of lies). He encouraged India’s youth to gain expertise in artificial intelligence and highlighted opportunities in renewable and nuclear energy sectors. Modi emphasized the considerable expansion in domestic manufacturing of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons since 2014, noting significant progress in solar manufacturing as well, with rooftop solar installations reaching 55 lakh families, including approximately 11 lakh households in Gujarat.
The Prime Minister elaborated on the broader impact of infrastructure development across various sectors, including railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing, underscoring the large-scale employment opportunities these projects create. Modi asserted that India is actively building the energy and technology ecosystems needed to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and other advanced industries.