Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 5 June inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹2,970 crore in Daman, covering healthcare, aviation, tourism, education, connectivity, and urban infrastructure. The wide-ranging package, announced at a public gathering in the Union Territory, is among the largest single-day investment commitments made to Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli in recent years.

Key Projects Unveiled

The package includes the inauguration of a Namo Hospital in Daman — mirroring an already-operational facility in Silvassa — along with the foundation stone for India's 18th National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus. Advanced technical courses at ITI Daman were also announced. Infrastructure highlights include the Namo Airport and the Damanganga bridge, both aimed at improving regional connectivity and boosting commerce.

Healthcare at the Centre

Modi placed particular emphasis on health infrastructure, citing national data to argue that government programmes had transformed outcomes. 'Before 2014, only 60 per cent of children were fully vaccinated. Today, this statistic has climbed to nearly 90 per cent,' he said, crediting Mission Indradhanush. He also noted that more than 90 per cent of deliveries in India now take place in medical institutions, up from a significantly lower share a decade ago, according to findings from the National Family Health Survey.

On the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Modi said: 'Today Ayushman Bharat has fundamentally changed those figures, and now more than 60 per cent of families are getting this vital security.' He added that the Ayushman card and Jan Aushadhi Kendras together had saved poor and middle-class families approximately ₹2.25 lakh crore in healthcare expenses. The introduction of postgraduate medical education in the region was also flagged as a milestone.

Economy, Environment and Blue Economy

Modi cited freshly released economic data on the occasion of World Environment Day, stating that India recorded a growth rate of 7.7 per cent during 2025-26, with the quarter ending 31 March logging 7.8 per cent growth. He described the numbers as evidence of a resilient economic foundation despite global uncertainty. 'Even in this difficult phase of the global crisis, with the collective efforts of 140 crore countrymen, India is sustaining itself and striving to remain at the forefront,' he said.

Diu's achievement of powering all government buildings through solar energy was highlighted as a model, with Modi urging households to adopt rooftop solar systems and generate surplus electricity for income. He also linked the region's infrastructure investments to India's blue economy ambitions, describing the coastal Union Territory as a strategic node in the country's maritime growth strategy.

Education, Industry and Tourism

On education, Modi pointed to the Swami Vivekananda Education Hub, smart classroom rollouts, and girl-centric schemes such as the Saraswati Cycle Scheme and Saraswati Vidya Yojana as evidence of expanding access. He said alignment with sectors like information technology, renewable energy, and drone technology would strengthen India's future workforce.

Describing Dadra and Nagar Haveli as India's 'man-made fibre capital', Modi reaffirmed government support for micro, small, and medium enterprises. On tourism, he said tourist footfall in the region had increased tenfold in recent years, crediting improved infrastructure, clean beaches, and new attractions such as the Daman Night Market and Namo Path Sea-front. He compared the region's long-term potential to Singapore's development trajectory, calling infrastructure investments a 'rock-solid foundation for the great resolutions of the future.'

What Comes Next

The projects span multiple timelines — some inaugurated immediately, others at foundation-stone stage — meaning residents will see phased delivery of benefits. With postgraduate medical education, a new NIFT campus, and expanded logistics infrastructure all in the pipeline, the Union Territory's institutional capacity is set for a significant upgrade. The Centre's sustained focus on the region signals continued federal investment as Daman positions itself as a manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare hub on India's western coast.