On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled and laid the foundation stones for a chain of development projects in Dahod, Gujarat, worth a total of Rs 24,000 crore.
These projects cover key railway infrastructure and other key areas as part of the Gujarat government's progress agenda.
One of the highlight events of the day was the inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express, which will operate between Veraval and Ahmedabad, and a new express train that links Valsad to Dahod. The launches are likely to enhance rail connectivity in the region considerably.
As the Prime Minister arrived, he was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd, many waving the Indian flag and cheering in celebration. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi reflected on his decade-long tenure, recalling the day he first took office on May 26, 2014.
In these years, I have worked for the nation. Shackles that had been there for decades have been removed. The nation made decisions which were unthinkable and unheard of. The nation developed in all areas," he informed the applauding crowd.
Describing India's strides towards self-reliance, PM Modi said, "Today, we 140 crore countrymen are making toilsome efforts to develop our country into a Viksit Bharat. The need of the hour is that all that is required for the development of the country should be produced in India."
He highlighted India's growing manufacturing potential with the assertion, "India is going forward very fast in the manufacturing world. Whether it's manufacturing products for Indian needs or sending products made in India to different nations of the world, this is going on day and night.
Pointing to technological achievements, the Prime Minister pointed out, "Today, India not only produces the needed technology of rail and metro for itself but also exports it. Our Dahod is a living example of this."
He also remembered laying the groundwork for an electric locomotive production plant in Dahod three years ago—a venture that was questioned back then. "Some even ridiculed and cursed, claiming that nothing would be constructed despite the foundation of the factory being laid at election time. But today, after three years, all of us can see that the first electric locomotive has been produced and is ready," he added.
PM Modi commissioned the Loco Manufacturing Shop-Rolling Stock Workshop in Dahod and dedicated the first electric locomotive at the facility. This is a significant milestone for Indian Railways' infrastructure development.
This recently commissioned workshop, constructed at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, was inaugurated in 2022. The facility has an installed capacity to make 120 electric locomotives annually, extendable to 150 units based on demand. This is under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal that has a target of manufacturing 1,200 electric locomotives in the next decade.
These heavy-duty 9,000 HP locomotives, in accordance with the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' policies, will be branded 'Manufactured in Dahod.' They have the capability to haul up to 4,600 tonnes of goods, catering both to the domestic transportation segment and overseas markets.
In the afternoon, PM Modi received warm welcomes in Vadodara, where there was a colorful roadshow. There were people on the roads, shouting slogans such as "Bharat Mata ki Jai," "Modi-Modi," and "Vande Mataram." A 'Sindoor Samman Yatra' was also arranged, with supporters holding flags and throwing flowers as a token of respect.
Several of the attendees were dressed in attire representative of respect for the Indian Armed Forces and PM Modi's leadership, especially given the recent military operations aimed at terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. This is PM Modi's first visit to Gujarat since those strategic moves.
The Prime Minister will proceed to Bhuj, where he will flag off projects worth more than Rs 53,400 crore. They involve works in Kandla Port, solar power generation, power transmission, and roads. He will also unveil four schemes for drinking water supply worth Rs 181 crore, which will benefit 4.62 lakh people from 193 villages and one town in the Mahisagar and Dahod districts.
In the morning of May 27, PM Modi will take out another roadshow in Gandhinagar at 10:30 a.m., where over 30,000 BJP workers will attend. He will then open and lay foundation for development schemes of Rs 5,536 crore at Mahatma Mandir.
Prime highlights of this event are the inauguration of 22,055 homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana costing Rs 1,006 crore, and the foundation laying ceremony of Phase 3 of the Sabarmati Riverfront project costing Rs 1,000 crore.
As part of an effort to upgrade urban infrastructure, PM Modi will also present cheques worth Rs 3,300 crore to different urban civic bodies under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana.
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