On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development initiatives in Gujarat valued at approximately ₹35,000 crore. During the event, titled ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ in Vadodara, Modi underscored the government’s emphasis on bolstering infrastructure and manufacturing. He criticized the previous Congress-led administration for what he characterized as prolonged delays in executing significant infrastructure projects. He highlighted the achievement of completing the 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors, describing it as a pivotal advancement for India’s transport network.
Modi addressed skeptics of the freight corridor project, referring to them humorously as “Naraz Fufa” or “angry uncle.” He defended the modern freight network, asserting that it would cut down travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics costs. This, he argued, would fortify trade and benefit farmers by facilitating faster transportation of agricultural goods to major markets. The Prime Minister noted that over 430 freight trains are now operational daily on both the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors. He emphasized that journeys, which previously took around 30 hours by road, could now be completed in 10-12 hours thanks to the dedicated rail system.
Continuing his political critique, Modi referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to the youth and cautioned young Indians against what he termed the “Jhooth Ki Goonj” or “echo of lies.” He encouraged the youth to gain expertise in artificial intelligence, highlighting burgeoning opportunities in sectors such as renewable and nuclear energy. Modi pointed out the expansion of domestic manufacturing since 2014, particularly in the production of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons.
The Prime Minister also spotlighted the growth of solar manufacturing, noting that rooftop solar installations have reached 55 lakh families, with around 11 lakh of these households located in Gujarat. He further emphasized that infrastructure development across various domains including railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing is generating significant employment opportunities. Modi expressed confidence that India is building the necessary energy and technology ecosystem to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and other advanced industries.