PM Modi Inaugurates 150 Km Key Stretch Of Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway - NDTV

**Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 150‑kilometre segment of the Vadodara‑Mumbai Expressway on Friday, marking a key milestone in the 1,000‑kilometre corridor that will link Gujarat’s industrial hub with the financial capital. The stretch, spanning from Vadodara to the town of Ankleshwar, was opened to traffic amid a ceremony attended by senior ministers, state officials and representatives of logistics firms. Designed as a six‑lane, access‑controlled highway, the expressway features modern safety amenities, toll plazas equipped with electronic collection systems, and dedicated lanes for freight traffic, aiming to cut travel time between the two cities from eight hours to under five.**

**The expressway forms part of the broader “Golden Quadrilateral”‑style upgrade of western India’s transport network, complementing the newly commissioned freight corridor that runs parallel to the route. Together, these projects are projected to boost the movement of goods by up to 30 % and attract an estimated ₹ 35,000 crore in private investment over the next five years. The central government has allocated ₹ 27,000 crore for the expressway’s construction, with the Gujarat state contributing additional funding and land. Once fully operational, the corridor is expected to enhance export competitiveness, reduce logistics costs for manufacturers, and stimulate job creation in the logistics and ancillary sectors.**

**During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi addressed critics who have questioned the pace and cost of large‑scale infrastructure schemes. Referring to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign, Modi warned that “Jooth Ki Goonj” would not mislead the nation’s youth, underscoring his administration’s focus on tangible development over political rhetoric. He also highlighted the unveiling of several Rs 35,000‑crore projects in the region, describing them as a “gift to the future generations” and dismissing the “Naaraaz fufa ji” tag used by opponents as a distraction. The Prime Minister reiterated that the expressway and freight corridor are integral to India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub and called on all political parties to support the nation’s growth agenda.