Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman on Thursday, inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for a series of major infrastructure projects worth over ₹15,000 crore. The projects, spanning highways, expressways, bridges, tourism facilities, and airport infrastructure, are aimed at boosting regional connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable development.
In Surat, the Prime Minister inaugurated National Highway projects worth ₹12,421 crore, including two important packages of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway and several other road infrastructure developments. Addressing a public gathering at the city’s indoor stadium, Modi highlighted the importance of modern transport networks in accelerating economic activity and improving connectivity across western India.
Among the projects inaugurated in Surat were major and minor bridges, railway overbridges, flyovers, and nearly 70 underpasses. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for four National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects worth ₹4,732 crore. These include the four-laning of the Dhamasiya-Bitada section (Package-4) of NH-56, the four-laning of the Nasarpore-Malotha section (Package-6), a six-lane vehicular underpass near Reliance, and a vehicular underpass-cum-flyover at Kawas on the Surat-Hazira section of NH-53.
The visit coincided with World Environment Day, and special efforts were made to promote environmentally friendly transportation. In line with the government’s emphasis on sustainable mobility, banners and promotional hoardings related to the Prime Minister’s event were reportedly kept to a minimum. Workers and attendees were encouraged to travel to the venue using bicycles and electric vehicles, while the Surat Municipal Corporation deployed more than 450 electric buses to facilitate public transportation.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Daman, where he inaugurated a new airport along with road and tourism-related projects worth ₹2,970 crore. He also addressed a public meeting at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, emphasizing the role of improved infrastructure in enhancing tourism and economic opportunities in the Union Territory.
In addition to the Gujarat and Daman projects, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated port and tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹885 crore in Lakshadweep, further expanding connectivity and development initiatives in India’s island territories.
The visit comes weeks after Modi’s public appeal in Gujarat urging citizens to reduce their dependence on petrol and diesel and make greater use of public transport, electric buses, metros, and other sustainable mobility options. He had also encouraged citizens to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and reduce discretionary spending on imported goods during challenging global conditions.
According to several travel industry representatives in Gujarat, the Prime Minister’s appeal appears to have had a noticeable impact. Travel agencies reported a decline in international travel bookings and inquiries, with some estimating a reduction of nearly 30 percent in overseas travel demand. Industry stakeholders noted that while bookings already in advanced stages continue, cancellations and reduced inquiries have increased in recent weeks.
