Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara. The projects cover major railway, highway and infrastructure works. The event also marked the completion of the 2,800-km Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a major boost to India’s freight and transport network.

Calling the corridor's completion a major milestone, Modi said it represents a shift in India’s approach to infrastructure development. “There is also a stream of Gati Shakti in this seven-pronged approach. For a developed India, we need connectivity that is not only seamless but also in tune with the times. Vadodara has a special connection with the Gati Shakti. Today, the final links of the Dedicated Freight Corridor have also been connected from here,” Modi said.

Three newly completed sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) cover 326 route kilometres. The sections were developed at a cost of more than ₹20,700 crore. They include New Sanand (N)-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale-New JNPT.

Completing these sections will provide direct freight connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The link is expected to speed up the movement of export and import cargo. It will also improve connectivity between industrial centres and ports. The project is expected to reduce logistics costs and ease pressure on Mumbai’s railway network.

Modi also flagged off freight train services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT in Mumbai. He also launched a new passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara’s Pratapnagar and dedicated the new Jobat-Tanda Road railway line to the nation.

The Jobat-Tanda Road line forms part of the Chhota Udepur-Dhar rail project and connects remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national railway network. The new connectivity is expected to improve access to rail services in the region and support movement between these areas and other parts of the country.

Speaking about the Dedicated Freight Corridor, Modi recalled that the idea for the project was first initiated in 2004. “The idea for this freight corridor was initiated in 2004. In 2006, the company was established, and work began, but for 14 years, files kept moving from one place to another,” he said.

“Today, the 2,800-km Dedicated Freight Corridor project has been completed. This is a very historic achievement for 21st-century India. The Dedicated Freight Corridor is a witness to how the country’s work culture has changed over the past 12 years,” Modi said.

The prime minister also laid the foundation stones for three railway projects of ₹9,700 crore, covering 329 kilometres, including construction of third and fourth railway lines between Vadodara and Ratlam. The remaining projects involve gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar section and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi line.

The road infrastructure sector also received a major push during the event. Modi laid the foundation stones for three National Highway projects worth around ₹1,780 crores, including six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48 and construction of major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada on the Vadodara-Surat section of NH-48.

The third highway project will develop grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53. These projects will improve road connectivity and ease traffic movement along important routes in Gujarat.

Foundation stone has also been laid for  Phase II of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road, a 110 MW floating solar power project at Kadana Dam and a new office building for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.

PM Modi also inaugurated houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a water-supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.

Addressing the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event, Modi said the projects are part of a wider effort to speed up India’s development. “This is a celebration of growth and partnership involving colleagues working across diverse fields; everything is coming together here. I have come among you today to further accelerate the journey towards a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) ...” he said.