Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects in Dahod, Gujarat, collectively valued at ₹24,000 crore.
The projects include critical railway infrastructure and several initiatives under the Gujarat government’s broader development agenda.
Among the key announcements, PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express connecting Veraval and Ahmedabad, as well as a new express train linking Valsad and Dahod—moves expected to significantly enhance regional rail connectivity.
Reflecting on his journey in office, PM Modi recalled May 26, 2014—the day he first assumed the role of Prime Minister.
“In these years, I have dedicated myself to the nation. Decades-old shackles have been broken. The country has taken decisions that were once unimaginable and unprecedented. We have progressed across every sector,” he said.
Highlighting India’s push toward self-reliance, he said, “Today, 140 crore citizens are working tirelessly to make India a Viksit Bharat. The demand of the times is that everything essential to national progress be manufactured in India.”
He added, “India is rapidly advancing in manufacturing—whether producing goods for domestic needs or exporting ‘Made in India’ products globally, this momentum is strong and consistent.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized India’s technological advancements. “Today, India not only manufactures the necessary technology for rail and metro systems but also exports it. Our Dahod is living proof of this progress.”
Referring to the newly inaugurated electric locomotive manufacturing facility in Dahod, PM Modi said, “Three years ago, I laid the foundation stone. Some mocked it, calling it an election stunt. But today, we see the first electric locomotive manufactured and ready.”
Earlier, he inaugurated the Loco Manufacturing Shop–Rolling Stock Workshop and flagged off the first electric locomotive produced at the facility, marking a major milestone for Indian Railways.
Built at an investment of ₹20,000 crore, the Dahod locomotive manufacturing unit is now operational, just three years after its foundation was laid in 2022. The facility is designed to produce 120 electric locomotives annually, scalable up to 150 units depending on future demand.
Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Indian Railways plans to manufacture 1,200 electric locomotives at this facility over the next decade. Each 9,000-HP locomotive, aligned with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, will bear the tag ‘Manufactured in Dahod’. These high-powered engines can haul up to 4,600 tonnes of cargo and are intended for both domestic use and export.
The Prime Minister will next travel to Bhuj to launch additional development projects worth over ₹53,400 crore. These include initiatives in Kandla Port, solar energy, power transmission, and road infrastructure.
He will also unveil four drinking water supply schemes costing ₹181 crore, aimed at benefiting 4.62 lakh residents across 193 villages and one town in the Mahisagar and Dahod districts.
PM Modi will also distribute cheques worth ₹3,300 crore to urban local bodies under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana.
— IANS