Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 5 June hailed Hazira as a living embodiment of India's self-reliance drive, describing the Surat-based industrial hub as an integrated ecosystem where energy, steel, defence production, ports, and global trade converge. His remarks came after a visit to Hazira ahead of a public programme in Surat, and underscored the Centre's push to position Gujarat as a flagship of the Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.

Hazira as an Integrated Industrial Ecosystem

'One can clearly understand the meaning of Atmanirbhar Bharat by visiting Hazira. Hazira today is not merely an industrial area. It has become an ecosystem where energy, steel, defence production, ports, and global trade all coexist,' Modi said. He described the region as one of India's most significant emerging maritime industrial centres, with a strategic role in deepening domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Rebuttal to Critics of Atmanirbhar Bharat

Modi directly addressed sceptics of the self-reliance campaign, arguing that domestic capability-building is not a retreat into isolation. 'There are some pessimistic people in the country who continue to mock the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. They forget that a country dependent on others can never achieve the heights of development it deserves,' he said. The remarks signal a continued effort by the government to frame economic nationalism as a prerequisite for global competitiveness.

Connectivity Projects Driving the Push

The Prime Minister linked Hazira's industrial momentum to a broader infrastructure build-out across Gujarat and western India. He cited the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, the Dedicated Freight Corridor, and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project as pillars of the government's connectivity agenda. Modi argued that modern logistics infrastructure is now penetrating regions historically left outside major economic networks.

Tribal Districts and Last-Mile Access

Modi specifically highlighted the Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi corridor and new road projects linking tribal districts including Narmada and Tapi, saying they 'would reduce travel times, lower transport costs and improve access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities.' He also noted that improved connectivity would boost tourism to destinations such as the Statue of Unity, Saputara, and other attractions across South Gujarat.

Broader Vision: Industry, Infrastructure, and Social Progress

Modi argued that industrial expansion, infrastructure development, and social service delivery must advance in tandem for India to realise its Viksit Bharat ambitions. He said the combination of hubs like Hazira and expanding connectivity networks represents a deliberate strategy to generate opportunity across both urban and rural India while reinforcing the country's economic resilience. This comes amid continued investment in industrial infrastructure and logistics networks across Gujarat, with multiple freight and port-linked projects at various stages of execution.