Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled and dedicated a series of rail, road, housing, water supply and urban development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara, with the completion of key sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) emerging as the central feature of the event.
The line is intended to connect remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national rail network. The projects are aimed at increasing passenger and freight capacity, reducing congestion and strengthening connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. “The state had also sought to involve citizens in preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit through cleanliness and environmental activities.
He welcomed PM Modi to Vadodara and said: “The Prime Minister had come to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development works worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in a single day. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for three railway projects covering 329 km and costing more than Rs 9,700 crore. Three National Highway projects costing around Rs 1,780 crore were also included in the programme. Sanitation workers and residents participated in cleaning roads, public places and surrounding areas, while 20 lakh saplings were distributed for plantation and other environmental activities,” he said. The Chief Minister said the state would continue to work towards the development of a ‘Viksit Gujarat’ as part of the broader goal of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’.
Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the projects would strengthen connectivity and logistics infrastructure while expanding access to housing, water supply and urban amenities across the state. Patel said the Dedicated Freight Corridor would make the movement of Gujarat’s agricultural produce, industrial products and other goods faster and easier.
