Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday criticised previous governments over delays in infrastructure projects, while highlighting India’s expansion in railway manufacturing and the benefits of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).
Addressing an event in Vadodara during his Gujarat-Maharashtra visit, Modi said India had manufactured around 50,000 modern trains, including rail and metro coaches and locomotives, since 2014. Taking a dig at the previous government, he said it had failed to build even 50,000 toilets during its 10-year tenure.
‘Naraz Phupha Ji’ Remark on Freight Corridor
Responding to concerns that freight corridors could affect truck drivers, Modi mocked critics as “naraz phupha ji” (angry uncle). He said the DFC had reduced freight travel time, transportation costs and fuel consumption while benefiting the environment.
More than 400 freight trains operate daily on the Eastern and Western DFCs, with the number reaching around 430. Modi said freight trains that earlier took six-and-a-half hours to cover 100 km now take less than half that time, while goods that took about 30 hours by truck can travel the same distance in 10–12 hours through the corridor.
Modi also attacked previous governments for leaving the DFC stalled for seven to eight years after its 2004 conception and the creation of a dedicated company in 2006.
He said the project remained “stuck in files” until his government accelerated it after 2014.
During his visit, Modi also inaugurated three WDFC sections spanning 326 km and costing over ₹20,700 crore, besides launching railway services and laying foundation stones for rail and highway projects.
He is scheduled to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.
