Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 5 June inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the foundation stones for a series of infrastructure and development projects worth approximately ₹18,800 crore in Surat, Gujarat. The visit, timed to coincide with World Environment Day, also saw Modi praise the city's residents for sustained cleanliness efforts and civic participation.

Key Projects Launched

Among the flagship initiatives launched during the visit were major packages of the eight-lane access-controlled Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway, a critical corridor expected to transform freight and passenger movement across western India. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of National Highway 56, a project designed to strengthen road connectivity in tribal regions and improve access to the Statue of Unity.

The projects collectively span road connectivity, power infrastructure, healthcare, and industrial development in South Gujarat, aimed at accelerating economic growth in the region. Before the public function, the Prime Minister visited the Hazira industrial area, where he reviewed ongoing industrial operations and infrastructure projects.

Modi on Surat's Transformation

In a post on social media platform X following his visit, Modi described Surat as 'more than a city' and attributed its progress to the determination of its people. 'It is a delight to have been in Surat and to inaugurate key development works. I have always believed that Surat is more than a city…it is a spirit. This spirit is seen in the dynamism of the people here,' he wrote.

Notably, Modi drew a sharp historical contrast, referencing the devastating 1994 plague outbreak that had once defined Surat's national image. 'A city that was once known for a massive plague is now known for cleanliness,' he said. The remark underscores a decades-long civic turnaround that has seen Surat consistently rank among India's cleanest cities in the Swachh Survekshan rankings.

Cleanliness Drives Ahead of World Environment Day

Modi said he had been informed that residents had participated in numerous sanitation campaigns in the days leading up to World Environment Day. 'What is noteworthy is that the recent strides in cleanliness have not made the people of Surat complacent. On the contrary, they are working even harder to boost Swachhata,' he wrote. 'I was told that over the last few days, people of Surat took part in many cleanliness drives. I applaud all those who joined such efforts,' he added.

BJP Poll Win and Political Context

Modi also acknowledged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s recent decisive victory in Surat's local body elections, noting it was his first visit to the city since the polls. 'This is also my first visit to Surat after the local body elections in which the BJP received a resounding mandate from the people. These continued blessings give us strength to keep working hard to fulfil people's aspirations,' he said.

The Surat leg formed part of a broader Gujarat and Daman tour on World Environment Day, during which Modi also inaugurated and launched development projects in the Union Territory of Daman. With sectoral execution now underway, the pace of delivery on the ₹18,800 crore commitment will be closely watched by industry and residents alike.