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PM Modi inaugurates and lays the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8,000 crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Published By : Admin | September 16, 2024 | 16:02 IST
Inaugurates Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj
Flags off several Vande Bharat trains
Sanctions more than 30,000 houses under the PM Awas Yojana - Gramin
Launches Single Window IT System (SWITS) of International Financial Services Centres Authority
“The first 100 days of our third term have brought impactful development for all”
“Big decision taken regarding the health of the poor and the middle class by providing free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh to all elderly people above 70 years of age”
“Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is going to provide a lot of convenience to middle-class families”
“Expansion of Vande Bharat network in these 100 days is unprecedented”
“This is the time for India, This is the golden period of India, This is the Amrit Kaal of India”
“India has no time to lose now, We have to increase credibility and also provide every Indian a life of dignity”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects of railways, road, power, housing and finance sectors worth more than Rs 8,000 crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today. Earlier in the day, Shri Modi inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. He also flagged off several Vande Bharat trains on routes - Nagpur to Secunderabad, Kolhapur to Pune, Agra Cantt to Banaras, Durg to Visakhapatnam, Pune to Hubballi, and the first 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi. Further, he launched the Single Window IT System (SWITS) of International Financial Services Centres Authority.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the auspicious occasions of Ganpati Mahotsav and Milad-un-Nabi and various festivals being celebrated all around the country. Shri Modi said that during this time of festivities, India’s festival of development is also underway with projects in the sectors of rail, road and metro worth around Rs 8,500 crore inaugurated and foundation stones laid. Terming the inauguration of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail as a new star studded in Gujarat’s honour, the Prime Minister said that it will prove to be a new milestone in India’s urban connectivity. Shri Modi noted that thousands of families are entering into their new homes today while the first installment for thousands of other families has also been released. He said with belief that these families would spend the upcoming festive period of Navratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja, Dhanteras, Diwali in their new homes with the same fervor. “I wish you an auspicious Grih Pravesh ”, PM Modi said. He congratulated the people of Gujarat and India for the development projects of today, especially the women who have now become homeowners.

Expressing pain, Shri Modi said that amidst the festive fervor, there have been incessant floods in various parts of Gujarat. He added that it was for the first time there was such incessant rains in a short span of time across nook and corners of Gujarat. He condoled the demise of those citizens who lost their lives due to floods. He assured that the Union and State governments were leaving no stone unturned to ensure support and rehabilitation of the affected. He also wished a very speedy recovery to the injured.

“This is my first visit to Gujarat after taking charge as the Prime Minister for the third time”, PM Modi said, highlighting that Gujarat is his place of birth where he learned all life lessons. He said that the people of Gujarat have showered their love upon him and the feeling is similar to a son returning home only to be rejuvenated with new energy and enthusiasm. He stated that it is his good fortune that the people have come out in such large numbers to bless him.

The Prime Minister expressed the desire of the people of Gujarat who wished that he paid a visit to the state as early as possible after taking oath for the third time. “It is only natural”, the Prime Minister said, “as the people of India have created history by giving the opportunity to the same government to serve for a record third time after sixty years”, noting that it is a significant event in India’s democracy. “It is the same people of Gujarat who sent me to Delhi by pledging the resolve of the nation first”, he added. Recalling the guarantee to the people of India during the Lok Sabha elections about taking crucial decisions in the first one hundred days of the government, the Prime Minister said that he has left no stone unturned, be it India or abroad. He said that he dedicated the first 100 days towards formulating policies and taking decisions towards public welfare and national interest.

The Prime Minister emphasized that work on projects worth more than Rs 15 lakh Crore have been started in the last 100 days. Recounting that a promise was made, during the elections, to the country to build 3 crore new houses, Shri Modi remarked that work was rapidly progressing in this direction. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that thousands of families from Gujarat who were present at the event had received their pucca houses. He added that thousands of families in Jharkhand too were beneficiaries of new pucca houses. Shri Modi remarked that his Government was continuously engaged in providing a better environment to all, be it in villages or the city. He added that the Government is spending thousands of crores of rupees, be it for financial help for houses of urban middle class, be it for the campaign to provide good houses to workers at reasonable rent, or be it building special housing for those working in factories or be it building new hostels in the country for working women.

Recalling the big decision taken regarding the health of the poor and the middle class a few days ago, the Prime Minister reminded of his promise of providing free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh to all elderly people above 70 years of age. He said that the sons and daughters of the middle class will not have to worry about the treatment of their parents.

Drawing attention to the significant decisions taken for the employment and self-employment of youth as well as their skill development in the last 100 days, the Prime Minister mentioned the announcement of a special PM package worth Rs 2 lakh crore which will benefit more than 4 crore youth. He stated that the government will also pay the first salary for the first job in companies if they hire the youth. He also mentioned increasing the limit of Mudra loan from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Reflecting on the women empowerment initiatives, the Prime Minister recalled the guarantee of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. He informed with satisfaction that their numbers reached 1 crore in the last few years while 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis have been created in the nation in the first one hundred days of the government. He also touched upon the recent decisions taken by the government in the interest of oilseed farmers so they get a higher price than the increased MSP. He informed that the duty on import of foreign oil has been increased to encourage farmers who grow crops like soybean and sunflower and also give momentum to becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’ in edible oil production. He further added that the government has lifted the ban on the export of Basmati rice and onion leading to an increased demand for Indian rice and onion abroad.

Shri Modi emphasized that in the last 100 days, dozens of projects related to rail, road, port, airport and metro have been approved. He added that a glimpse of the same was also visible in today's program. The Prime Minister underlined that the foundation stone of many connectivity related projects has been laid in Gujarat today. He further added that he traveled by metro to Gift City station prior to this event. He remarked that many people shared their experiences during the metro ride and everyone was happy with the expansion of Ahmedabad Metro. He further added that within the last 100 days, decisions related to the expansion of the metro have been taken in many cities across the country.

Citing it as a special day for Gujarat today, Shri Modi highlighted that Namo Bharat Rapid rail had begun its operations between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. He added that Namo Bharat Rapid Rail would be very convenient to the middle class families who travel from one city to another in the country every day and would greatly benefit those involved in jobs, business and education. Shri Modi expressed hope that in the coming days, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail would benefit many people by connecting many cities of the country.

“Expansion of the Vande Bharat network in these 100 days is unprecedented”, the Prime Minister remarked, as he highlighted more than 15 new Vande Bharat train routes. He mentioned flagging off multiple Vande Bharat trains from Jharkhand and Nagpur-Secunderabad, Kolhapur-Pune, Agra Cantt-Banaras, Durg-Visakhapatnam, Pune-Hubli Vande Bharat being flagged off today. He also spoke about the Delhi - Varanasi Vande Bharat train which now consists of 20 coaches. He informed that more than 125 Vande Bharat trains in the country are enabling better travel for thousands of people every day.

Highlighting that the people of Gujarat understand the value of time, the Prime Minister exclaimed the current time period was the Golden Period or the Amrit Kaal of India. He exhorted the people to make India developed in the next 25 years and Gujarat had a very big role to play in this. Shri Modi expressed happiness that Gujarat was becoming a very big hub of manufacturing today and was one of the most well connected states of India. Expressing hope, Shri Modi declared that the day was not far when Gujarat would give India its first Made-in-India Transport Aircraft C-295. He lauded Gujarat’s lead in the Semiconductor Mission as unprecedented. The Prime Minister remarked that there were many universities in Gujarat today ranging across petroleum, forensics to wellness, and there were excellent opportunities in Gujarat for studying every modern subject. He added that Foreign universities were opening their campuses here in Gujarat. He expressed pride that Gujarat was making a splash in the whole world, ranging across culture to agriculture. He added that Gujarat was now exporting crops and grains abroad which one could never think of and all this was made possible by the tenacity and hardworking nature of the people of Gujarat.

The Prime Minister said that a generation has gone by that dedicated itself to the development of the state and expressed further belief in taking the state to new heights. Reminding about his address from the Red Fort on the quality of products manufactured in India, the Prime Minister urged the people to break away from the mindset that products not being exported are of inferior quality. He expressed the desire for Gujarat to become a beacon of high quality manufactured products in India and abroad.

The Prime Minister said the way India is working with new resolutions, it is making a mark in the world. Shri Modi said representing India on many big platforms in many countries could be seen as India getting so much respect “Everyone in the world welcomes India and Indians with open arms. Everyone wants to have good relations with India. People of the world look towards India for solutions in times of crisis”, the Prime Minister emphasized. He underlined that the expectations of the world have further increased as the people of India have formed a stable government for the third time in a row. He said that the farmers and the youth are direct beneficiaries of this boost in trust as demand for skilled youth increases. He further added that an increase in trust increases exports and creates opportunities for foreign investors.

The Prime Minister remarked that while on one hand every citizen of the country wanted to become the brand ambassador of India in the whole world by engaging in promoting the strength of their country, there were some people in the country with negativity and doing exactly the opposite. He added that such people were attacking the unity of the country. Shri Modi recalled how Sardar Patel unified India by merging more than 500 princely states. He further added that a certain section of power hungry people wanted to break India into pieces. Shri Modi warned the people of Gujarat to be cautious of such divisive elements and be wary of such people.

The Prime Minister emphasized that India is on the path to development and is capable of facing such negative forces boldly. “India has no time to lose now. We have to increase credibility of India and provide every Indian a life of dignity”, the Prime Minister said, underlining that Gujarat will emerge as a leader in this too. Our every resolution will be fulfilled with the efforts of all of us. “All our resolutions will be fulfilled with Sabka Prayas”, Shri Modi concluded.

Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of several key projects, including the quadrupling of the Samakhiali – Gandhidham and Gandhidham – Adipur railway lines, the development of iconic roads in AMC, Ahmedabad, and the construction of flyover bridges over Bakrol, Hathijan, Ramol, and Panjarpol Junction.

The Prime Minister inaugurated a 30 MW solar system, a 35 Megawatt BESS Solar PV Project at Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station, Kutch and 220 Kilovolt substations at Morbi and Rajkot.

The Prime Minister launched the Single Window IT System (SWITS) of International Financial Services Centres Authority, designed to streamline financial services.

The Prime Minister sanctioned more than 30,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin and released the first installment for these homes. He also launched the construction of houses under the PMAY Scheme and handed over completed houses under both the Urban and Rural segments of the PMAY to the beneficiaries of the state.

Further, he flagged off India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj, and several Vande Bharat trains on routes - Nagpur to Secunderabad, Kolhapur to Pune, Agra Cantt to Banaras, Durg to Visakhapatnam, Pune to Hubballi, and the first 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi.

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PM chairs Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi
December 28, 2025
Viksit Bharat is synonymous with quality and excellence in governance, delivery and manufacturing: PM
PM says India has boarded the ‘Reform Express’, powered by the strength of its youth
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‘Made in India’ must become a symbol of global excellence and competitiveness: PM
PM emphasises the need to strengthen Aatmanirbharta and strengthen our commitment to 'Zero Effect, Zero Defect’
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PM calls upon states to encourage manufacturing, boost ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and make India a Global Services Giant
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi, earlier today. The three-day Conference was held in Pusa, Delhi from 26 to 28 December, 2025.

Prime Minister observed that this conference marks another decisive step in strengthening the spirit of cooperative federalism and deepening Centre-State partnership to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister emphasised that Human Capital comprising knowledge, skills, health and capabilities is the fundamental driver of economic growth and social progress and must be developed through a coordinated Whole-of-Government approach.

The Conference included discussions around the overarching theme of ‘Human Capital for Viksit Bharat’. Highlighting India's demographic advantage, the Prime Minister stated that nearly 70 percent of the population is in the working-age group, creating a unique historical opportunity which, when combined with economic progress, can significantly accelerate India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister said that India has boarded the “Reform Express”, driven primarily by the strength of its young population, and empowering this demographic remains the government’s key priority. Prime Minister noted that the Conference is being held at a time when the country is witnessing next-generation reforms and moving steadily towards becoming a major global economic power.

He further observed that Viksit Bharat is synonymous with quality and excellence and urged all stakeholders to move beyond average outcomes. Emphasising quality in governance, service delivery and manufacturing, the Prime Minister stated that the label "Made in India' must become a symbol of excellence and global competitiveness.

Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen Aatmanirbharta, stating that India must pursue self-reliance with zero defect in products and minimal environmental impact, making the label 'Made in India' synonymous with quality and strengthen our commitment to 'Zero Effect, Zero Defect.’ He urged the Centre and States to jointly identify 100 products for domestic manufacturing to reduce import dependence and strengthen economic resilience in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister emphasised the need to map skill demand at the State and global levels to better design skill development strategies. In higher education too, he suggested that there is a need for academia and industry to work together to create high quality talent.

For livelihoods of youth, Prime Minister observed that tourism can play a huge role. He highlighted that India has a rich heritage and history with a potential to be among the top global tourist destinations. He urged the States to prepare a roadmap for creating at least one global level tourist destination and nourishing an entire tourist ecosystem.

PM Modi said that it is important to align the Indian national sports calendar with the global sports calendar. India is working to host the 2036 Olympics. India needs to prepare infrastructure and sports ecosystem at par with global standards. He observed that young kids should be identified, nurtured and trained to compete at that time. He urged the States that the next 10 years must be invested in them, only then will India get desired results in such sports events. Organising and promoting sports events and tournaments at local and district level and keeping data of players will create a vibrant sports environment.

PM Modi said that soon India would be launching the National Manufacturing Mission (NMM). Every State must give this top priority and create infrastructure to attract global companies. He further said that it included Ease of Doing Business, especially with respect to land, utilities and social infrastructure. He also called upon states to encourage manufacturing, boost ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and strengthen the services sector. In the services sector, PM Modi said that there should be greater emphasis on other areas like Healthcare, education, transport, tourism, professional services, AI, etc. to make India a Global Services Giant.

Prime Minister also emphasized that as India aspires to be the food basket of the world, we need to shift to high value agriculture, dairy, fisheries, with a focus on exports. He pointed out that the PM Dhan Dhanya Scheme has identified 100 districts with lower productivity. Similarly, in learning outcomes States must identify the lowest 100 districts and must work on addressing the issues around the low indicators.

PM also urged the States to use Gyan Bharatam Mission for digitization of manuscripts. He said that States may start a Abhiyan to digitize such manuscripts available in States. Once these manuscripts are digitized, Al can be used for synthesizing the wisdom and knowledge available.

Prime Minister noted that the Conference reflects India’s tradition of collective thinking and constructive policy dialogue, and that the Chief Secretaries Conference, institutionalised by the Government of India, has become an effective platform for collective deliberation.

Prime Minister emphasised that States should work in tandem with the discussions and decisions emerging from both the Chief Secretaries and the DGPs Conferences to strengthen governance and implementation.

Prime Minister suggested that similar conferences could be replicated at the departmental level to promote a national perspective among officers and improve governance outcomes in pursuit of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister also said that all States and UTs must prepare capacity building plan along with the Capacity Building Commission. He said that use of Al in governance and awareness on cyber security is need of the hour. States and Centre have to put emphasis on cyber security for the security of every citizen.

Prime Minister said that the technology can provide secure and stable solutions through our entire life cycle. There is a need to utilise technology to bring about quality in governance.

In the conclusion, Prime Minister said that every State must create 10-year actionable plans based on the discussions of this Conference with 1, 2, 5 and 10 year target timelines wherein technology can be utilised for regular monitoring.

The three-day Conference emphasised on special themes which included Early Childhood Education; Schooling; Skilling; Higher Education; and Sports and Extracurricular Activities recognising their role in building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready workforce.

Discussion during the Conference

The discussions during the Conference reflected the spirit of Team India, where the Centre and States came together with a shared commitment to transform ideas into action. The deliberations emphasised the importance of ensuring time-bound implementation of agreed outcomes so that the vision of Viksit Bharat translates into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. The sessions provided a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, key challenges and possible solutions across priority areas related to human capital development.

The Conference also facilitated focused deliberations over meals on Heritage & Manuscript Preservation and Digitisation; and Ayush for All with emphasis on integrating knowledge in primary healthcare delivery.

The deliberations also emphasised the importance of effective delivery, citizen-centric governance and outcome-oriented implementation to ensure that development initiatives translate into measurable on-ground impact. The discussions highlighted the need to strengthen institutional capacity, improve inter-departmental coordination and adopt data-driven monitoring frameworks to enhance service delivery. Focus was placed on simplifying processes, leveraging technology and ensuring last-mile reach so that benefits of development reach every citizen in a timely, transparent and inclusive manner, in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Conference featured a series of special sessions that enabled focused deliberations on cross-cutting and emerging priorities. These sessions examined policy pathways and best practices on Deregulation in States, Technology in Governance: Opportunities, Risks & Mitigation; AgriStack for Smart Supply Chain & Market Linkages; One State, One World Class Tourist Destination; Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Swadeshi; and Plans for a post-Left Wing Extremism future. The discussions highlighted the importance of cooperative federalism, replication of successful State-level initiatives and time-bound implementation to translate deliberations into measurable outcomes.

The Conference was attended by Chief Secretaries, senior officials of all States/Union Territories, domain experts and senior officers in the centre.