Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vadodara, Gujarat, on September 8, 2026, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for a diverse array of development projects valued at over ₹35,000 crore. During the NaMo for Viksit Bharat program, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure through rail, highway, and urban development initiatives. Passengers and logistics operators can now benefit from major upgrades as the entire Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is officially dedicated to the nation alongside several new line expansions and highway developments.
- Western Dedicated Freight Corridor fully operational with completion of 326 route kilometers at a cost exceeding ₹20,700 crore.
- New rail connectivity established for tribal areas in Alirajpur with the inauguration of the Jobat-Tanda Road rail line.
- Foundation stones laid for ₹9,700 crore worth of projects including the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines.
Central to the railway developments was the official dedication of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor to the nation. With the completion of three key sections—Sanand North-Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale, and New Saphale-JNPT—
covering 326 route kilometers at a cost exceeding ₹20,700 crore, the entire WDFC is now fully operational, facilitating efficient EXIM cargo movement and decongesting the Mumbai network. Additionally, the Prime Minister flagged off freight services from various points and inaugurated the Jobat-Tanda Road rail line, which connects tribal areas in Alirajpur to the national network. Furthermore,
foundation stones were laid for ₹9,700 crore worth of projects, including the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines and the gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar section.
In the highway sector,
foundation stones were laid for three National Highway projects totaling approximately ₹1,780 crore, including the six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48 and new bridge constructions over the Tapi and Narmada rivers. The Gujarat government also introduced projects worth ₹2,600 crore, featuring the second phase of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road and a 110 MW floating solar power plant at the Kadana Dam. The visit concluded with the inauguration of new housing units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and water supply infrastructure for 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.
