Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched and dedicated a series of major infrastructure projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara, while using a youth-focused public event to highlight the government’s development agenda, railway expansion, manufacturing capabilities and preparations to make India a global artificial intelligence power.

Addressing the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ programme at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Modi interacted with Gen-Z and spoke at length about the transformation of India’s infrastructure over the past decade. He also took a political swipe at the opposition while highlighting the completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor network.

The Prime Minister’s Vadodara programme included the dedication of three major sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) covering 326 route kilometres. The sections were developed at a cost of more than ₹20,700 crore. With their commissioning, the entire Dedicated Freight Corridor network is now fully operational, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

‘Angry Fufa Ji Will Be Upset’ Remark

During his interaction with young people, Modi took a dig at political opponents while talking about India’s infrastructure growth.

Referring to the development of the freight corridor, he said that those who are unhappy with India’s progress would become upset after seeing the new rail infrastructure. He used the phrase “naraz fufa” (angry uncle) in an apparent political reference to the opposition.

The remark added a political element to an event otherwise centred on infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and youth engagement. 

Modi Highlights Dedicated Freight Corridor

A major focus of the Prime Minister’s speech was the Dedicated Freight Corridor project.

Modi said the idea for the freight corridor was initiated in 2004 and a dedicated company was established in 2006, but argued that the project moved slowly before 2014. He credited his government with accelerating its implementation after coming to power.

The three newly commissioned WDFC sections connect New Sanand (North)-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale-New JNPT. The government said the new connectivity will facilitate faster movement of export-import cargo, strengthen links between industrial centres and ports, reduce logistics costs and ease congestion on Mumbai’s railway network. 

Separate Freight Tracks to Improve Logistics

Modi said the Dedicated Freight Corridor has changed the way goods are transported across the country.

Earlier, passenger and freight trains often shared railway infrastructure, affecting the speed and capacity of both services. Dedicated freight infrastructure is designed to separate cargo movement from passenger railway operations, allowing freight trains to move more efficiently.

The completion of the DFC is expected to strengthen India's logistics network and improve multimodal connectivity between production centres, markets and ports. 

‘From Chips to Ships’: Push for Domestic Manufacturing

The Prime Minister also used the occasion to underline the government’s focus on domestic manufacturing.

Modi said India is expanding its capabilities across the manufacturing chain, describing the ambition as moving from “chip to ship”. He cited developments in railway manufacturing and other sectors as examples of the country’s expanding industrial capacity.

His broader message was that India should increasingly manufacture components and finished products domestically rather than remain dependent on imports.

AI Ambitions and the Need for Skills

Speaking to Gen-Z, Modi also emphasised the importance of building an ecosystem around artificial intelligence if India is to emerge as a global AI leader.

He highlighted the need for skilled manpower and continuous upskilling, arguing that degrees alone would not be sufficient in a rapidly changing technology-driven economy.

The Prime Minister also linked India’s technology ambitions with access to critical minerals and rare-earth materials, which are important for several advanced manufacturing and technology applications.

Youth-Focused Format for Gen-Z Interaction

The Vadodara programme was designed differently from a conventional political gathering, with a strong focus on young participants.

A specially constructed Y-shaped ramp allowed Modi to walk closer to the audience during the event. Around 6,000 slots for the programme were reportedly made available through free online registration, while a large number of people joined the waiting list. (The Times of India)

The format was part of a broader effort to create a more direct and informal interaction between the Prime Minister and younger audiences.

Railway and Highway Projects Across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

Apart from the WDFC sections, Modi dedicated the Jobat-Tanda Road new railway line, developed under the Chhota Udepur-Dhar project. The line is intended to connect remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national railway network.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for three railway projects covering 329 kilometres at a cost of more than ₹9,700 crore. These include the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth railway lines, the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar gauge conversion project and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi line. The projects are expected to strengthen connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. (PM India)

Three National Highway projects worth around ₹1,780 crore were also included in the programme, along with Gujarat government projects valued at around ₹2,600 crore. (PM India)

Modi’s Mumbai Leg After Vadodara

After the Vadodara programme, Modi was scheduled to travel to Mumbai to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026.

The seventh edition of the event is being held from September 8 to 11, with this year’s theme focusing on Agentic AI, tokenisation and quantum technologies and their role in building trusted, connected and inclusive financial systems. 

The Vadodara visit therefore combined three major themes of the government’s current development narrative — infrastructure expansion, youth engagement and technology-led economic growth — with the completion of one of India’s biggest dedicated freight railway networks.