New Delhi (Economy India): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat and Maharashtra on Tuesday, September 8, where he will inaugurate, lay foundation stones for and dedicate to the nation development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will travel to Mumbai to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, one of the world’s major annual fintech conferences.
According to the Press Information Bureau, Modi will reach Vadodara around noon and address a public gathering. At around 5:45 pm, he will inaugurate GFF 2026 in Mumbai and address participants.
Western Dedicated Freight Corridor Set for Completion
A major highlight of the Vadodara visit will be the dedication of three important sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).
The three sections cover a combined 326 route kilometres and have been developed at a cost of more than Rs 20,700 crore.
The sections are:
- Sanand (North)–Makarpura
- New Umbergaon–New Saphale
- New Saphale–JNPT
The commissioning of these sections will mark the completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor network across its full length, according to the government.
Faster Cargo Movement, Lower Logistics Costs
The WDFC’s direct connectivity with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is expected to facilitate faster movement of export-import cargo.
The government expects the corridor to strengthen links between industrial centres and ports, reduce logistics costs and help decongest Mumbai’s conventional railway network.
The dedicated freight infrastructure is also expected to improve multimodal connectivity, reduce transit times and facilitate smoother movement of goods across regions.
These improvements could provide an important boost to India’s logistics ecosystem and industrial competitiveness.
Freight Train Services to Be Flagged Off
During the Vadodara programme, Prime Minister Modi will flag off freight train services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT.
The move is expected to strengthen freight operations along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and improve connectivity between industrial clusters and ports.
The Prime Minister will also flag off a new train service between Vadodara and Tanda Road, benefiting people in Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur districts.
New Rail Link to Connect Tribal Areas
The Prime Minister will dedicate the Jobat–Tanda Road new railway line, developed under the Chhota Udepur–Dhar railway project.
The new rail connection is expected to link remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national railway network, improving access and connectivity for residents of the region.
Three Major Railway Projects
Modi will also lay the foundation stones for three railway projects covering a combined 329 kilometres, with an estimated cost of more than Rs 9,700 crore.
The projects include:
- Vadodara–Ratlam third and fourth railway lines
- Miyagam Karjan–Choranda–Malsar gauge conversion
- Vishwamitri–Dabhoi doubling project
The projects are expected to increase passenger and freight capacity, ease congestion and strengthen rail connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Rs 1,780 Crore Highway Projects
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stones for three National Highway projects costing around Rs 1,780 crore.
These include:
- Six-laning of the Kamrej–Chalthan section of NH-48
- Additional structures, including major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada rivers, on the Vadodara–Surat section of NH-48
- Grade-separated structures at the Abhva, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53
In addition, six-lane flyovers at Kandari Chokdi and Luvara Patia on the Vadodara–Surat section of NH-48 will be inaugurated to improve road safety and address traffic-related issues.
Gujarat Projects Worth Around Rs 2,600 Crore
The Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for and inaugurate various Gujarat government projects worth around Rs 2,600 crore.
Major projects include Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road Phase II, a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam and construction of a new Vadodara Municipal Corporation office.
Among the projects to be inaugurated are housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a water-supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai
After his Vadodara programme, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Mumbai to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026.
The seventh edition of GFF is being held from September 8 to 11, 2026, bringing together policymakers, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, technology firms, investors, academics and other global stakeholders.
The theme of GFF 2026 is:
“Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance.”
The conference will focus on how emerging technologies such as agentic AI, programmable finance and quantum technologies can generate trusted, inclusive and measurable outcomes for citizens, businesses and economies.
India’s Digital Finance Leadership in Focus
GFF 2026 is designed as a common platform for policy, regulation, technology, capital and industry.
The discussions are expected to examine how technological advances can move beyond experimentation and translate into practical financial services, stronger inclusion and measurable economic impact.
The event also reflects India’s growing role in digital payments and financial technology, with global stakeholders expected to discuss the next phase of innovation in financial services.
Infrastructure and Technology at the Centre of PM’s Visit
Prime Minister Modi’s September 8 itinerary brings together two major areas of India’s economic development agenda — physical infrastructure and digital financial infrastructure.
The completion of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is expected to strengthen freight movement and logistics efficiency, while the Global Fintech Fest will focus on emerging technologies that could shape the future of finance.
Together, the initiatives underline the government’s focus on improving connectivity, reducing logistics costs, expanding infrastructure capacity and promoting technology-driven financial inclusion.
(Economy India)
