Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized the transformative growth of India’s railway sector over the past decade, underscoring the expansion of metro services and the introduction of semi-high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express.
Addressing a public event in Dahod, PM Modi announced the launch of a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Ahmedabad to Veraval, further strengthening connectivity in the state. He noted that Vande Bharat trains now run on nearly 70 routes across India, reflecting the country’s rapid strides in modern transport infrastructure.
“The progress of India’s railways is directly linked to our technological advancements. Today, coaches and locomotives are manufactured domestically, reducing our dependence on imports,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi stated that India has emerged as a global exporter of railway equipment, exporting metro coaches to Australia and train coaches to England, Saudi Arabia, and France. He also added that Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy are among the countries importing railway-related components from India.
“Passenger coaches made in India are being used in Mozambique and Sri Lanka. Our locomotives are now reaching multiple countries, a testament to the growing strength of the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that a strong railway network not only enhances passenger convenience but also accelerates industrial and agricultural growth. Highlighting Gujarat’s development, he said that several parts of the state, which earlier had only narrow-gauge and slow-moving trains, have now been brought into the mainstream with expanded connectivity.
PM Modi announced the inauguration of new railway routes, including a key express service between Dahod and Valsad, which he said would greatly benefit the tribal regions of the state.
Focusing on local development, the Prime Minister said the newly set-up rail factory in Dahod will manufacture 9,000-horsepower locomotives, some of the most powerful engines in India. He informed that each locomotive produced will carry the name ‘Dahod’, turning the city into a key manufacturing hub.
“Hundreds of locomotives will be built here in the coming years, creating large-scale employment opportunities for local youth,” he said.
He added that this development would also boost small-scale industries and MSMEs that supply railway components, paving the way for economic growth in surrounding regions.
“This transformation will benefit not just factory workers but also farmers, livestock owners, shopkeepers, and laborers, ensuring inclusive economic progress,” the Prime Minister added.