Dahod: Marking a symbolic return to the region where his journey began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over ₹24,000 crore in Dahod, Gujarat, today. The event coincided with the 11th anniversary of his first swearing-in as Prime Minister in 2014, a day he described as one of personal and national significance.
Addressing a massive public gathering, the Prime Minister credited the people of Gujarat for placing their faith in him, saying that their blessings continue to inspire his relentless pursuit of national progress. “India has emerged from an era of despair into an age of confidence and optimism,” he stated, highlighting the country’s rise across multiple sectors through decisive, transformative governance.
A key highlight of the day was the inauguration of the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory, which has successfully manufactured its first 9,000-horsepower electric locomotive—one of the most powerful engines produced in India. Shri Modi flagged off the locomotive, calling it a “moment of pride” for both Gujarat and the nation. He announced that every engine produced at the factory will bear the name “Dahod,” reinforcing its identity as a hub of modern manufacturing.
In a major boost to Gujarat’s rail connectivity, he declared the 100% electrification of the state’s railway network and inaugurated new express train services, including a Vande Bharat Express between Ahmedabad and Veraval and a new express train between Dahod and Valsad, set to significantly benefit tribal and rural areas.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India is no longer just importing railway equipment but exporting it globally. He listed countries like Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, Mexico, and Sri Lanka among those sourcing Indian-made coaches and components.
Calling Dahod a land of “sacrifice and potential,” Modi recalled his deep-rooted association with the region, from his early visits by bicycle to his ongoing efforts to uplift it during his tenure as Chief Minister and now as Prime Minister. “Every development project in Dahod brings me immense satisfaction,” he said.
He highlighted the transformative role of tribal welfare initiatives, including the Dhartii Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which is investing ₹80,000 crore in over 60,000 tribal villages to ensure access to water, electricity, roads, healthcare, and education. Under the PM Janman Yojana, he said, the government is prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable tribal communities for the first time.
The Prime Minister also addressed the pressing issue of sickle cell anemia, underlining the government’s national mission to screen and treat millions of tribal citizens. He noted that districts once considered backward, like Dahod, are now transforming into aspirational districts with modern infrastructure and smart services.
Modi envisioned a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor spanning Dahod, Vadodara, Godhra, Kalol, and Halol. He detailed Gujarat’s strides in various sectors—from hosting India’s first Gati Shakti University and rail-car manufacturing hubs in Savli to setting up a major semiconductor plant and establishing aircraft manufacturing capabilities in Vadodara.
“From bicycles to railway engines to aircraft, this region will produce it all,” he declared, positioning Gujarat as a global industrial powerhouse.
Turning to national security, the Prime Minister invoked Operation Sindoor, a swift and strategic military response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. “In just 22 minutes, nine major terror hubs across the border were eliminated,” he said, praising the Indian Armed Forces for their courage and decisive action.
“India’s strength lies in both its armed forces and its growing economy,” Modi noted, asserting that national development and security must progress in tandem.
