In a significant push for infrastructure and manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects valued at around ₹35,000 crore in Gujarat on Tuesday. At the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi underscored the government’s commitment to development while criticizing the previous Congress-led administration for what he termed as delays in executing major infrastructure initiatives. The completion of India’s 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors was highlighted as a major achievement, marking a transformative step for the country’s transport network.
The Prime Minister emphasized the benefits of the modern freight network, which he said would cut down travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics costs, while enhancing trade and providing faster transportation options for agricultural produce to major markets, thus benefiting farmers. Modi took a jab at critics of the freight corridor project, humorously referring to them as “Naraz Fufa” or “angry uncle,” asserting that the initiative was a significant leap forward.
Modi noted that more than 430 freight trains now operate daily on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, reducing journey times that previously took about 30 hours by road to just 10-12 hours using the dedicated rail network. He also addressed India’s youth, cautioning them against what he called “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (echo of lies), a veiled reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach campaign. Modi encouraged young Indians to gain expertise in artificial intelligence and pointed out burgeoning opportunities in renewable and nuclear energy sectors.
Since 2014, India has seen a substantial increase in the domestic production of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons, according to Modi. He also noted the growth in solar energy, with rooftop solar installations now reaching 55 lakh families, including around 11 lakh households in Gujarat. The Prime Minister highlighted that the ongoing development in infrastructure across sectors such as railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing is generating extensive employment opportunities.
Modi projected India’s growth in energy and technology, asserting that the country is building the necessary ecosystem to become a global leader in AI and other advanced industries. This comprehensive development strategy, he suggested, positions India favorably on the path to becoming a major player on the global stage.