On May 26, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dahod, Gujarat, to lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate various development projects worth over ₹24,000 crore. The event, held on the 11th anniversary of his first swearing-in as Prime Minister, marked a significant milestone in the region’s growth and India’s broader mission of building a self-reliant and developed nation (Viksit Bharat). The projects focused on sectors like railways, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, and tribal welfare.
Why in the News?
The Prime Minister’s visit to Dahod is in the news due to the inauguration and launch of multiple high-impact development projects worth over ₹24,000 crore. Key highlights include the successful rollout of India’s first 9,000-horsepower electric locomotive from Dahod, 100% electrification of Gujarat’s railway network, and announcements related to tribal welfare, including the ‘Dhartii Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ and the PM Janman Yojana. Additionally, PM Modi hailed “Operation Sindoor” as a reflection of India’s strong values and military strength, following a recent terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir.
Development Projects
- Inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple projects totaling over ₹24,000 crore.
- Flagged off the first electric locomotive from the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory, whose foundation he laid 3 years ago.
- Announced 100% railway electrification of Gujarat.
- Inaugurated new Vande Bharat Express between Ahmedabad and Veraval.
- Launched a new Dahod-Valsad express train, boosting connectivity in the tribal belt.
Railway and Industrial Development
- India is now exporting locomotives and railway components to countries like Australia, France, England, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.
- Dahod’s rail factory will produce 9,000-horsepower locomotives, supporting small-scale industries and generating significant employment.
- Gujarat is forming a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor including Dahod, Vadodara, Godhra, Kalol, and Halol.
- Vadodara: Advancing in aircraft manufacturing (Airbus).
- Savli: Rail coach manufacturing.
- Kalol & Halol: MSME and small industry hubs.
Tribal Development
- PM Modi emphasized 11 years of dedicated efforts for tribal upliftment.
- Launch of PM Janman Yojana for particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
- Implementation of ‘Dhartii Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ — ₹80,000 crore invested to develop 60,000 tribal villages with electricity, roads, schools, hospitals, and pucca houses.
- Eklavya Model Schools, tribal universities, and ST-focused medical and technical institutions being set up.
- Large-scale sickle cell anemia screening mission underway.
Agricultural and Water Reforms
- Over 11 lakh acres of tribal land brought under irrigation.
- Narmada water pipelines reaching Dahod households, resolving chronic water scarcity.
National Pride & Defense
- On the anniversary of his swearing-in (26 May 2014), PM Modi reiterated commitment to self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta).
- Praised ‘Operation Sindoor’, conducted in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in J&K.
- 9 terror hubs destroyed across the border in 22 minutes.
- Praised the Indian Armed Forces for their swift and courageous response.
- Asserted that the country born from Partition (Pakistan) promotes hostility, whereas India promotes development and peace.
Social Commitment
- Appreciated the presence of thousands of women in Vadodara showing support for India and its soldiers.
- Paid homage to tribal freedom fighters like Govind Guru and martyrs of Mangarh Dham.
- Recalled local historical sacrifices, including those by Maharishi Dadhichi and Tatya Tope.
Vision for Viksit Bharat
- Emphasized the collective strength of 140 crore Indians building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
- Called for domestic manufacturing in all sectors — defense, pharma, electronics, toys, railways, etc.
- Stated that Gujarat is leading India’s march in education, semiconductors, IT, and tourism.
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