In an innovative move towards greater public engagement, registration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming programme in Vadodara began through the digital platform BookMyShow. This groundbreaking initiative from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) allowed citizens to register for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
The response was nothing short of phenomenal; all available seats were booked within an hour of the registration opening. Furthermore, over 42,000 additional applicants quickly joined the waiting list, showcasing the public’s eagerness to participate in this significant event.
The programme is set to feature a fully digital entry system, emphasising technology’s role in streamlining attendance. Registered participants will receive a digital M-Ticket linked to their BookMyShow accounts, complete with a secure QR code for easy entry verification.
This digital process aims to enhance the overall experience, ensuring swift access and smooth crowd movements at the venue, thereby contributing to efficient event management.
On Tuesday, September 5, Prime Minister Modi will visit the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. He plans to lay the foundation stones, inaugurate, and dedicate various development projects exceeding ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara alone.
Among the key highlights of this visit is the dedication of three significant sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). Spanning 326 route kilometres and developed at a cost of over ₹20,700 crore, these sections include the New Sanand to New Makarpura, New Umbergaon to New Saphale, and New Saphale to New JNPT routes.
This freight corridor marks a crucial advancement in connectivity, facilitating quicker transport of EXIM cargo and significantly alleviating congestion within Mumbai’s railway network.
The commissioning of these sections will enable full operational status across the dedicated freight infrastructure, a milestone that promises to bolster the country’s logistics ecosystem. Enhanced multimodal connectivity will minimise transit times and support seamless cargo movement nationwide.
Additionally, during the programme, Modi will flag off freight train services connecting New Sanand, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon, and New JNPT in Mumbai. He will also inaugurate a passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara (Pratapnagar).
The Prime Minister’s dedication of the Jobat–Tanda Road new rail line is part of the larger Chhota Udepur–Dhar project. This new line aims to connect remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national rail network, improving access to vital services for those communities.
The PM will also lay the foundation for three railway projects, covering 329 kilometres with an investment of over ₹9,700 crore. This includes enhancements to the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines, the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda–Malsar gauge conversion, and the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi doubling project. These initiatives promise to improve capacity and alleviate congestion in train traffic between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Three National Highway projects amounting to around ₹1,780 crore will also receive foundation stones. These involve the six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48, crucially improving transport infrastructure between regions.
Moreover, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stones for several Government of Gujarat projects valued around ₹2,600 crore. Key projects include the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road Phase II and a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam, amongst various initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Moving to Mumbai, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, one of the largest fintech conferences in the world, occurring from September 8 to 11 in Mumbai. This annual event fosters dialogue among global stakeholders in finance, technology, and policy, covering critical domains like digital payments and financial inclusion.
The theme for GFF 2026, “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance,” emphasises the role of innovative technologies in delivering measurable outcomes for citizens and businesses alike.
By establishing a platform for collective discourse, the event aims to leverage India’s leadership in digital finance to drive sustainable growth in inclusive financial systems worldwide.
