Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat on June 15, 2026, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth ₹18,800 crore in Surat. These initiatives focus on enhancing the state’s transport connectivity, industrial capacity, and healthcare infrastructure to support its rapidly growing economy. During the visit, the Prime Minister also marked a global milestone by virtually launching the inaugural World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad.
Strengthening Connectivity: The Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway
A central feature of the infrastructure push is the inauguration of Packages VI and VII of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. This expressway is a critical 379 km southern segment of the larger Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE 4), which is the longest expressway in India. The newly inaugurated sections facilitate smoother transit through the industrial corridors of South Gujarat, connecting major hubs like Surat and Bharuch.
The development of these packages aims to reduce travel time between India’s financial capital, Mumbai, and the industrial heartland of Gujarat. Package VI covers the stretch from Kim to Ena, while Package VII extends from Ena to Gandeva. These 8-lane sections are designed to handle high-speed traffic and provide a significant boost to the logistics sector by easing the movement of goods to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra.
Healthcare for the Workforce: The New ESIC Hospital in Surat
To strengthen social security and healthcare for industrial workers, the Prime Minister inaugurated a new 220-bed multi-specialty hospital in Surat. Built at a cost of approximately ₹216 crore, the facility is managed by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The hospital is spread across an 8.60-acre campus and is equipped with advanced medical infrastructure, including modular operation theatres and oncology services.
The hospital is strategically located to serve over 3.20 lakh insured persons and their families in the industrial belts of Surat, Navsari, and Valsad. ESIC, established in 1952 under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, operates as a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This new facility aligns with the government’s policy of upgrading ESIC hospitals with more than 200 beds into medical colleges to address the shortage of medical professionals in industrial regions.
Ahmedabad Hosts the First World Yogasana Championship
In a historic move for global sports, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the first World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad. The city, which was declared India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017, served as the venue for this international event. The championship, held at the Eka Arena, saw participation from over 500 athletes representing 79 countries, highlighting the global appeal of Yogasana as a competitive sport.
The event was organized by Yogasana Bharat in collaboration with the National Yogasana Sports Federation (NYSF). NYSF is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and aims to include Yogasana in future Olympic games. The official mascot for the championship was “Veer the Lion”, representing the heritage of Gujarat. India dominated the inaugural edition, topping the medal table with 102 gold medals, underscoring its leadership in the global yoga movement.
Boosting Self-Reliance: Bulk Drug and Chemical Zones in Gujarat
The Prime Minister’s visit also emphasized India’s goal of becoming a global pharmaceutical hub. Foundation stones were laid for Chemical and Bulk Drug Zone projects in Valsad and Bharuch. A major highlight is the Bulk Drug Park in Jambusar, Bharuch district, which is being developed over 2,000 acres with an estimated project cost of ₹3,920 crore. This park is one of three such projects approved by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the central scheme for the “Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks.”
These zones are designed to provide common infrastructure, such as effluent treatment plants and solvent recovery systems, to reduce production costs for pharmaceutical companies. The initiative is closely linked to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Bulk Drugs, which aims to reduce India’s import dependence on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs). By strengthening the “Golden Corridor” of Gujarat’s chemical industry, these projects are expected to attract massive private investment and create thousands of jobs.
Expanding Power Infrastructure and the Kisan Suryoday Yojana
The transmission network expansion project launched during the visit is a vital step toward achieving energy security and supporting the state’s agriculture. A key component of this expansion is the integration of renewable energy into the grid through projects managed by GETCO and POWERGRID. This includes the development of high-voltage substations in Navsari to improve grid reliability and available transfer capability for the Inter-State Transmission System.
A major driver for this power sector push is the Kisan Suryoday Yojana, which aims to provide daytime electricity for irrigation to all farmers in Gujarat by 2026. By shifting agricultural load to daytime hours when solar power generation is at its peak, the scheme helps in better grid management and improves the quality of life for the farming community. The ongoing expansion of the transmission network ensures that the increased load from these rural initiatives is handled without disrupting the industrial and residential power supply.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹18,800 crore in Surat, Gujarat, on June 15, 2026.
- The projects included Packages VI and VII of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, which is part of the 1,350 km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE 4).
- A new 220-bed ESIC Hospital was inaugurated in Surat to provide healthcare to over 3.20 lakh insured workers in the region.
- The inaugural World Yogasana Championship was launched in Ahmedabad, featuring over 500 athletes from 79 countries.
- Jambusar in Bharuch district is the site for a new Bulk Drug Park, developed to boost self-reliance in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
- The Kisan Suryoday Yojana aims to provide daytime power for irrigation to all farmers in Gujarat by March 2026.
