Vadodara, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled and dedicated development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara, with the completion of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) emerging as the key highlight of the programme.
Three sections of the WDFC, covering 326 route kilometres and built at a cost of more than Rs 20,700 crore, were dedicated to the nation. The sections are Sanand (North)-Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale-Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
With these sections becoming operational, the WDFC has been completed across its full length, providing direct freight connectivity to JNPA. The corridor is expected to facilitate faster movement of export-import cargo, lower logistics costs and ease pressure on Mumbai’s railway network.
Modi also flagged off freight train services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT in Mumbai. A new passenger train service between Vadodara and Tanda Road was also flagged off, while the Jobat-Tanda Road railway line, developed under the Chhota Udepur-Dhar project, was dedicated to the nation. The line is aimed at connecting remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national railway network.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the projects would strengthen connectivity and logistics infrastructure while expanding access to housing, drinking water and urban facilities. He said the WDFC would make transportation of Gujarat’s agricultural produce, industrial goods and other commodities faster and more efficient.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for three railway projects covering 329 km at a combined cost of more than Rs 9,700 crore. These include the third and fourth railway lines between Vadodara and Ratlam, gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar section and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi section. The projects are intended to increase passenger and freight capacity, reduce congestion and strengthen rail connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Three National Highway projects costing around Rs 1,780 crore were also part of the programme. They include six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48, additional structures and major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada on the Vadodara-Surat section of NH-48, and grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53. Six-lane flyovers at Kandari Chokdi and Luvara Patia were also inaugurated.
State government projects worth around Rs 2,600 crore were unveiled or inaugurated. These include Phase II of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road, a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam, a new Vadodara Municipal Corporation office, housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a water-supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.
Patel said more than 16.53 lakh houses had been provided to beneficiaries in urban and rural areas of Gujarat under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while drinking-water coverage had been expanded through the Nal Se Jal programme.
He said citizens were also involved in preparations for Modi’s visit through cleanliness and environmental initiatives. 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.
Patel also highlighted developments associated with Vadodara, including Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and the manufacturing facility for C-295 military transport aircraft. Referring to wider national developments, he cited Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-I, India’s hydrogen-powered passenger train, C-295 aircraft production, the commissioning of three indigenous naval warships and recent defence missile testing.
The Chief Minister said India’s defence production had reached around Rs 1.78 lakh crore and said Gujarat would continue working towards the goal of a “Viksit Gujarat” as part of the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”.
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