The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) – North Gujarat was inaugurated today in Mehsana by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting Gujarat’s emergence as a pivotal hub for semiconductors, modern logistics, clean energy and electronics manufacturing.
Gujarat Emerging as the Foundation of India’s Development
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Gujarat is becoming the “foundation pillar of India’s development journey”, particularly in semiconductors, logistics and electronics, supporting India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
He noted investments worth ₹1,25,000 crore in this sector, citing major projects:
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Tata Electronics plant – Dholera
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Micron semiconductor facility – Sanand
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CG Power & KEC plants
Thanks to this ecosystem, 30 Japanese companies are setting up units to supply ultra-pure chemicals, gases and substrates, raising quality standards even for the pharma and chemical industries.
Strong Push in Electronics & Talent Development
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Proposals worth ₹1,15,000 crore received under the Central Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme.
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Training on advanced semiconductor tools and 5G labs launched at Ganpat University and 12+ colleges, building a full value chain from talent to manufacturing.
Gujarat Leads in Clean Energy
Vaishnaw praised Gujarat’s leadership in renewables, highlighting the world’s largest green energy project in Khawada, Kutch, giving India a strong global answer on clean-powered manufacturing.
Massive Railway Transformation in Gujarat
The Minister revealed ₹1,46,000 crore investment in Gujarat’s railway sector.
Key achievements:
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2,764 km of new railway lines laid in last 11 years – equal to the entire railway network of Denmark.
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Bullet Train Update: Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Gujarat section) progressing; first bullet train to run in August 2027.
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Dedicated Freight Corridor completed in Gujarat – cutting container train time from 30 hours to just 10–11 hours.
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400 freight trains run daily on Eastern & Western corridors.
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87 stations are being modernized and 332 flyovers/underpasses are under construction.
Vision for “Developed India 2047”
Vaishnaw stressed that global dynamics are changing and India must “strengthen capabilities and widen its roads”. He recalled that India was among the world’s top two economies for nearly 2000 years and said, “Now it is time to reclaim that position.”
He invited industry, academia and global investors to align with Gujarat’s roadmap, assuring strong support from both Central and State governments.
Trade Show Highlights Innovation & Partnerships
Ahead of the inaugural ceremony, a large-scale trade show and exhibition was opened by the dignitaries. The event serves as a platform connecting innovators, MSMEs, startups, corporates, foreign buyers, PSUs and government departments, advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local and sustainable growth.
Key Highlights of the Exhibition:
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400+ exhibitors
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Sectors: Agriculture, Food Processing, Renewable Energy
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Exhibition area: 18,000 sq. meters
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Leading corporates participating: Torrent, Welspun, NHPC, NTPC, Kosol, Suzlon, Avada, Nirma, INOX, Adani, Maruti Suzuki, PowerGrid, ONGC
A Vendor Development Program (VDP) will also be organized with Dudhsagar Dairy, ONGC, Western Railway and Maken Foods to strengthen industry linkages and boost local manufacturing.
