In an innovative initiative, public participation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme in Vadodara took place via free registration on BookMyShow. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) managed these registrations digitally.
As soon as registration opened, the response was exceptional. All available seats booked within an hour, leading to over 42,000 applicants placed on the waiting list. This reflects the high enthusiasm for the event among the public.
The event is set for tomorrow, where Prime Minister Modi will lay the cornerstone, inaugurate, and dedicate various projects worth over ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara and surrounding areas. This includes three critical sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), covering 326 route kilometres and developed at the cost of ₹20,700 crore.
The new freight corridors will improve direct connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). This move will facilitate faster EXIM cargo movement, enhance connectivity between industrial centres and ports, and ultimately reduce logistics costs while relieving congestion on Mumbai’s railway networks.
With these sections operational, the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network will fully function across its entirety. The upgraded freight infrastructure aims to strengthen India’s logistics by enhancing multimodal connectivity and decreasing transit times.
Prime Minister Modi will also flag off freight train services from four new stations: New Sanand, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon, and New JNPT in Mumbai. Furthermore, a new passenger train service will commence between Tanda Road and Vadodara (Pratapnagar).
Another significant development is the inauguration of the Jobat–Tanda Road new rail line, part of the Chhota Udepur–Dhar project. This new line connects remote and tribal areas like Alirajpur with the national rail network, fostering regional development.
Moreover, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for three railway projects spanning 329 kilometres, costing over ₹9,700 crore. These vital projects will include the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines, Miyagam Karjan-Choranda gauge conversion, and the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi doubling project. Such initiatives will boost both passenger and freight capacity while alleviating congestion.
The Prime Minister is also set to lay the foundation for three National Highway projects, with a combined cost of around ₹1,780 crore. These projects will involve major developments along NH-48 and NH-53, including new bridges over the Tapi and Narmada rivers.
In addition to these railway and highway projects, Modi will inaugurate several state government projects worth around ₹2,600 crore, including the Vadodara Urban Development Authority’s Ring Road Phase II and a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam.
Among the inaugurated initiatives are housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a water-supply project benefitting 11 villages in eastern Vadodara, highlighting the government’s commitment to local development.
Following the event in Vadodara, the Prime Minister will travel to Mumbai to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026. As one of the largest annual fintech conferences worldwide, GFF promotes discussions on financial innovation.
This year’s GFF will take place from 8th to 11th September 2026. Since its inception in 2020, GFF has grown into a global platform uniting policymakers, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintech firms, and technology companies.
The 2026 theme, “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum,” focuses on building trusted, inclusive finance systems through emerging technologies. This aligns with India’s leading role in digital payments and financial inclusion.
Organizers aim to create a convergence point for policy, regulation, technology, and industry, enabling impactful discussions on advancing inclusive financial systems globally.
