PM lays foundation stone, inaugurates and dedicates various development projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod, Gujarat
DAHOD : The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod, Gujarat on Monday. Addressing the gathering, he remarked that May 26 holds special significance as it marks the day he first took the oath as Prime Minister in 2014. He acknowledged the unwavering support and blessings of the people of Gujarat, who entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the nation. The Prime Minister highlighted that this trust and encouragement have fueled his dedication to serving the country day and night. Over the years, India has taken decisions which were unprecedented and unimaginable, breaking free from decades-old constraints and advancing across every sector. “Today, the nation has emerged from an era of despair and darkness into a new age of confidence and optimism”, he added.
“140 crore Indians are united in building a Viksit Bharat”, exclaimed Shri Modi, emphasising the importance of manufacturing essential goods within India, stating that self-reliance is the need of the hour. He remarked that India is advancing rapidly in the global manufacturing sector, noting that both domestic production and exports are increasing consistently. India is now exporting a wide range of products, including smartphones, automobiles, toys, defense equipment, and medicines. He further stated that India is not only manufacturing rail and metro technology but also exporting it globally. Citing Dahod as a prime example of this progress, where major projects worth thousands of crores were inaugurated and launched, Shri Modi highlighted the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory as a significant achievement. He recalled laying its foundation stone three years ago and expressed pride that the first electric locomotive has now been successfully manufactured. He flagged off the locomotive, marking a moment of pride for Gujarat and the entire nation. Additionally, he announced that Gujarat has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network, calling it a remarkable milestone and congratulated the people of Gujarat for this achievement.
Highlighting the rapid development of India’s railway sector over the past 10-11 years, Shri Modi emphasized the expansion of metro services and the introduction of semi-high-speed trains, transforming connectivity across the country. He remarked that Vande Bharat trains now operate on nearly 70 routes, further strengthening India’s transportation network. He announced the commencement of a new Vande Bharat Express between Ahmedabad and Veraval. Shri Modi further stated that the rise of modern trains in India is due to the country’s advancements in technology. He emphasized that coaches and locomotives are now manufactured domestically, reducing reliance on imports. “India has emerged as a leading exporter of railway equipment”, stated Shri Modi, noting that India exports metro coaches to Australia and train coaches to England, Saudi Arabia, and France. He added that Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy also import railway-related components from India. Shri Modi further remarked that Indian passenger coaches are being used in Mozambique and Sri Lanka, and ‘Made in India’ locomotives are being exported to multiple countries. He stated that this reflects the continuous expansion of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, reinforcing national pride.
“A strong railway network enhances convenience and boosts industries and agriculture”, remarked the Prime Minister, highlighting that several regions in India received railway connectivity for the first time in the past decade. He remarked that many areas in Gujarat previously had only small, slow-moving trains, but several narrow-gauge routes have now been expanded. Announcing the inauguration of multiple railway routes, including the new express train between Dahod and Valsad, which will greatly benefit the tribal belt, the Prime Minister stated that factories create large-scale employment opportunities for youth. He highlighted that Dahod’s rail factory will manufacture 9,000-horsepower locomotives, significantly enhancing the power and capacity of India’s trains, noting that every locomotive produced in Dahod will bear the name of the city. The Prime Minister remarked that hundreds of locomotives will be built in the coming years, generating substantial employment for local youth. He emphasized that the factory will also support small-scale industries producing railway components, leading to economic growth in surrounding areas. He stated that employment opportunities extend beyond the factory, benefiting farmers, livestock owners, shopkeepers, and laborers, ensuring widespread economic progress.
Shri Modi highlighted that Gujarat has made remarkable progress across multiple sectors, including education, IT, semiconductors, and tourism. He emphasized that the state has established itself as a leader in various industries. He remarked that a major semiconductor plant is being set up in Gujarat with an investment of thousands of crores, further strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor industry. He stated that these initiatives are creating new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth in Gujarat, contributing to the state’s economic growth and development.
Underlining that Dahod, Vadodara, Godhra, Kalol, and Halol have collectively established a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor in Gujarat, the Prime Minister remarked that Vadodara is rapidly advancing in aircraft manufacturing, with the Airbus assembly line inaugurated a few months ago. He noted that Vadodara is also home to India’s first Gati Shakti University. He emphasized that Savli already has a major rail-car manufacturing factory, while Dahod now hosts a facility producing India’s most powerful locomotives—9,000-horsepower engines, marking a moment of pride for the nation. The Prime Minister stated that Godhra, Kalol, and Halol have a significant presence of manufacturing units, small industries, and MSMEs, contributing to Gujarat’s industrial growth. Envisioning a future where this region of Gujarat will be known for producing everything—from bicycles and motorcycles to railway engines and aircraft, the Prime Minister remarked that such a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor is rare globally, reinforcing Gujarat’s position as an industrial powerhouse.
Highlighting the immense potential of Dahod, stating that the event is just a glimpse of its capabilities, Shri Modi expressed full confidence in the hardworking people of Dahod, emphasizing that they will make the best use of the newly developed facilities and transform Dahod into one of the most developed districts in the country. He concluded by congratulating the people of Dahod once again, reaffirming his belief in their dedication and progress.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting & Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
In line with his commitment to enhancing connectivity and building world-class travel infrastructure, Prime Minister inaugurated the Locomotive Manufacturing plant of the Indian Railways in Dahod. This plant will produce electric locomotives of 9000 HP for domestic purposes and for export. He also flagged off the first electric locomotive manufactured from the plant. The locomotives will help in increasing freight loading capacity of Indian Railways. These locomotives will be equipped with regenerative braking systems, and are being designed to reduce energy consumption, which contributes to environmental sustainability.
Thereafter, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod. The projects include rail projects and various projects of the Government of Gujarat. He also flagged off Vande Bharat Express between Veraval and Ahmedabad & Express train between Valsad and Dahod stations.
