NEW DELHI, September 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat and Maharashtra today, with a packed schedule that includes the launch and inauguration of development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara and the opening of Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi is scheduled to reach the Vadodara programme at around 12 noon, before travelling to Mumbai, where he will inaugurate the fintech gathering at approximately 5:45 PM.
₹35,000 Crore Development Push in Vadodara
During the Gujarat leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will lay foundation stones, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation a wide range of projects collectively valued at over ₹35,000 crore.
The projects cover major sectors including:
- Railways
- Dedicated freight infrastructure
- National highways
- Urban development
- Housing
- Renewable energy
- Water supply
Modi is also scheduled to address a public gathering in Vadodara.
Western Dedicated Freight Corridor to Become Fully Operational
One of the biggest highlights of today’s programme will be the dedication of three key sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, covering a combined 326 route kilometres and developed at a cost exceeding ₹20,700 crore.
The three sections are:
- New Sanand (North)–New Makarpura
- New Umbergaon–New Saphale
- New Saphale–New JNPT
With these sections entering service, the government says the Dedicated Freight Corridor network will become fully operational across its entire planned length.
Direct Freight Connectivity to JNPA
The completion of the corridor will provide direct dedicated-freight connectivity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) near Mumbai.
The government expects the infrastructure to:
- Speed up movement of export-import cargo
- Improve links between industrial centres and ports
- Reduce freight transit times
- Lower logistics costs
- Improve multimodal connectivity
- Help ease congestion on Mumbai’s existing railway network
The Prime Minister will also flag off freight train services from New Sanand North, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT.
Three Railway Projects Worth Over ₹9,700 Crore
Modi will lay the foundation stone for three railway projects spanning 329 kilometres, with a combined investment of more than ₹9,700 crore.
These include:
- Vadodara–Ratlam third and fourth railway lines
- Miyagam Karjan–Choranda–Malsar gauge conversion
- Vishwamitri–Dabhoi doubling project
The projects are aimed at expanding passenger and freight capacity, easing congestion and improving connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
New Rail Connectivity for Tribal Areas
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Jobat–Tanda Road new railway line, developed as part of the Chhota Udepur–Dhar project.
The new stretch is expected to bring remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur onto the national railway network.
Modi will additionally flag off a new passenger train connecting Tanda Road and Vadodara’s Pratapnagar station.
Highway Projects Worth Around ₹1,780 Crore
Three National Highway projects worth approximately ₹1,780 crore are also part of today’s infrastructure package.
They include:
- Six-laning of the Kamrej–Chalthan section of NH-48
- Additional structures and major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada on the Vadodara–Surat section of NH-48
- Grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53
The projects are intended to improve road capacity, safety and connectivity across important industrial and urban corridors in Gujarat.
Gujarat Projects Include Floating Solar Plant and Ring Road
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay foundation stones for Gujarat government projects worth around ₹2,600 crore.
Major projects include:
- Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road Phase II
- 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam
- New Vadodara Municipal Corporation office
- Housing projects under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
- Water-supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara
These projects combine urban infrastructure, housing, clean energy and basic public services.
Modi to Inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai
After completing the Gujarat programme, Modi will travel to Mumbai, where he is scheduled to inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 at around 5:45 PM and address participants.
The seventh edition of the event is being held from September 8 to September 11, 2026.
The annual conference brings together:
- Policymakers
- Regulators
- Central banks
- Banks and financial institutions
- Fintech companies
- Technology firms
- Investors
- Academic and industry leaders
The government describes the event as one of the major global platforms for discussions on the future of financial technology.
Agentic AI, Tokenisation and Quantum in Focus
The theme of Global Fintech Fest 2026 is:
“Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance.”
Discussions are expected to focus on technologies including:
- Agentic artificial intelligence
- Tokenisation
- Programmable finance
- Quantum technologies
- Digital payments
- Financial inclusion
The event aims to explore how emerging technologies can be converted into trusted and measurable financial services for consumers, businesses and economies.
Infrastructure and Fintech Dominate PM’s Schedule
Today’s two-state visit combines two major government priorities — large-scale physical infrastructure investment and India’s push to expand its position in the global digital-finance ecosystem.
The Vadodara programme will focus heavily on freight, railway and highway connectivity, while the Mumbai leg will put emerging financial technologies and digital inclusion at the centre of discussions.
source – Prime Minister’s Office / Press Information Bureau
Supreme News Network
