Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday held a ‘Viksit Bharat Samvad’ in Bhavnagar, interacting with traders, industrialists, and prominent citizens to discuss regional development and infrastructure needs.
Speaking at the event, the minister highlighted India’s strong post-pandemic economic performance, noting that the country had emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy with a valuation of ₹331 lakh crore as of March 31, 2025. “While global economies are facing slowdown, India’s growth rate is rising steadily under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Vaishnaw lauded India’s growing capabilities in indigenous manufacturing, citing the Vande Bharat train as a symbol of self-reliant technological progress. “It is a fully indigenously manufactured, world-class train with modern facilities,” he said, urging citizens to contribute to the vision of a developed India.
The minister also underscored India’s emergence as a global hub in electronics and semiconductors, noting that the electronics manufacturing sector is now worth $150 billion.
Responding to local demands, Vaishnaw announced the development of a container port in Bhavnagar and took immediate action on a proposal for establishing an IT park under the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme. He also assured resolution of issues related to Freight Train Registration (FTR).
Minister of Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukhbhai Mandaviya and Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya also attended the event. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s developmental initiatives in Bhavnagar, while Bambhaniya thanked the Railway Minister for accepting key local demands related to railway infrastructure.