Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Gujarat’s Urban Development Year 2025 in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, marking two decades of the state’s strategic evolution into a leader in sustainable urban planning.
The event reinforced Gujarat’s role as a model for clean energy and infrastructure innovation across India. Speaking to a packed gathering of state officials, urban planners, and industry stakeholders, PM Modi outlined the next phase of Gujarat’s urban transformation. Emphasising sustainability and green mobility, the initiative seeks to expand upon the state’s achievements in clean air, smart housing, and integrated urban services. One of the key announcements included the launch of the State Clean Air Programme, a multi-sectoral effort aimed at reducing urban air pollution. The programme reflects Gujarat’s growing commitment to environmentally responsible urbanisation.
In addition, the Prime Minister inaugurated several vital projects, including a state-of-the-art Locomotive Manufacturing Plant at Dahod. Designed to support the Make in India mission, the plant will produce powerful 9000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and export. PM Modi also flagged off the first locomotive, a move that is expected to significantly enhance Indian Railways’ freight capabilities. Housing and urban finance were also front and centre. More than 22,000 homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) were allocated to beneficiaries, while Rs 3,300 crore was released to urban local bodies under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana. These funds aim to boost infrastructure and service delivery in rapidly growing urban centres. The visit serves to spotlight Gujarat’s integrated development model, one that merges policy, planning, and technological innovation. It also underscores the Centre’s commitment to replicating such models nationwide to achieve the broader vision of world-class, climate-resilient Indian cities.
Modi’s visit followed a roadshow in Bhuj on Monday, where he reiterated India’s firm stance against terrorism, referencing Operation Sindoor and the nation’s zero-tolerance approach toward national security threats.
