Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod, Gujarat, and flagged off the D-9 electric locomotive engine — a fully indigenous 9,000-horsepower marvel built at the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory. This facility, inaugurated just three years ago, now symbolizes India’s rising manufacturing prowess, marking a milestone for both Gujarat and the nation, according to the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office.
PM Modi highlighted India’s transformation into a manufacturing powerhouse exporting a diverse range of products, from smartphones and cars to military weapons and medicines. “India is now independently manufacturing and exporting railway systems, metro infrastructure, and related technologies worldwide,” he said, pointing to Dahod as a living testament to this progress.
Emphasizing national unity and self-reliance, Modi underscored the importance of producing everything India needs domestically. The Dahod factory’s 9,000-horsepower locomotive stands as a beacon of India’s technological advancement, with plans to ramp up production to one engine every two days. This industrial hub is expected to boost local employment, spur small industries, and benefit various sectors including agriculture, animal husbandry, and retail.
Congratulating Gujarat on achieving 100% electrification of its rail network, the Prime Minister lauded India’s unprecedented railway advancements over the last decade — from Vande Bharat trains to metro expansions and cutting-edge technologies. Indian railway exports now reach countries such as Australia, England, Saudi Arabia, France, Mexico, Spain, and Germany, strengthening India’s global footprint.
Highlighting Gujarat’s leadership in education, IT, semiconductors, and tourism, Modi praised Dahod’s remarkable development. Once regarded as backward, Dahod is now emerging as a Smart City and a key railway manufacturing hub, offering new job opportunities especially to tribal youth through factories and industries. The government’s efforts continue to accelerate economic growth in the region.
The Prime Minister also spotlighted significant strides in tribal welfare, with initiatives like Eklavya Model Schools, ITIs, medical colleges, and tribal universities fostering education and skills. The PM-JANMAN scheme is enhancing housing, education, and employment for marginalized tribal communities, promoting inclusive development.
Focusing on healthcare, Modi cited mission-mode campaigns targeting diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, under which millions of tribal people are being screened and treated. Dahod, listed among India’s 100 most disadvantaged districts, benefits from the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which has modernized over 60,000 villages nationwide with electricity, clean water, roads, and schools.
Closing his address, Modi invoked ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a symbol of India’s cultural strength and unwavering resolve against terrorism. He affirmed that the nation responds not with silence but with decisive action, reflecting the spirit of 140 crore citizens united in pride and security.