Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects valued at approximately ₹35,000 crore in Gujarat on Tuesday. Speaking at the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Modi underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. He criticized the previous Congress-led administration, accusing it of delaying significant infrastructure initiatives. Highlighting the completion of India’s 2,800-km dedicated freight corridors, he emphasized this achievement as a significant advancement for the country’s transport system.
Addressing detractors of the freight corridor initiative, whom he referred to as “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle), Modi defended the project, asserting that it would significantly reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics costs. He argued that the modern freight network would bolster trade and benefit farmers by ensuring quicker transportation of agricultural produce to major markets. Modi noted that more than 430 freight trains are currently operating daily on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, reducing freight journeys from around 30 hours by road to 10–12 hours via the dedicated rail network.
The Prime Minister also took a political jab at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, cautioning young people against what he described as “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (echo of lies) from Gandhi’s youth outreach initiatives. Modi urged the youth to focus on developing skills in artificial intelligence, highlighting emerging opportunities in renewable and nuclear energy sectors. He pointed out that since 2014, India has expanded its domestic manufacturing of railway coaches, locomotives, and wagons, showcasing the country’s growth in solar manufacturing, with rooftop solar installations reaching 55 lakh families, including about 11 lakh in Gujarat alone.
Modi further elaborated on the expansive infrastructure development across various sectors such as railways, roads, airports, metros, pipelines, and housing, which he claimed are generating substantial employment opportunities. According to Modi, India’s efforts are geared towards establishing the energy and technology ecosystem necessary to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and other advanced industries.