‘Naraz Fufa now has work’: PM Modi takes swipe at critics in Gujarat

PM Narendra Modi addresses the inauguration and foundation stone laying of Rs 35,000 crore development projects at an event, in Vadodara, Gujarat. PIC/PTI

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed those who questioned his government's development record, once again labelling them as "Naraz Fufa (angry uncle)".

While speaking at the NaMo for Viksit Bharat programme in Gujarat's Vadodara, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 35,000 crore, PM Modi said the country's work culture has transformed over the last 12 years after the BJP came to power.

One of the projects is a 2,800-kilometre dedicated freight corridor (DFC), which Modi called a "historic achievement for the 21st century".

Taking a dig at those who would question the usefulness of the corridor project, Modi said, "One Naraz Fufa ji will say: What will the truck drivers do?"

"Naraz Fufa now has work," he said, without naming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

PM frames freight corridors as the backbone of trade

"After 2014, India built 50,000 modern rail coaches but the previous (Congress) regime could not build even 50,000 toilets in 10 years," Modi stated.

He inaugurated three important sections of the Western DFC, connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Navi Mumbai with Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, marking the project's completion.

"Dedicated freight corridors are the lifeline of a fast-developing India. India's transformation is accelerating because of this modern freight network," Modi said.

Earlier, passenger and goods trains had to run on the same tracks, slowing down both passenger travel and freight movement but the DFC changed this, he said.

"After 2014, with your blessings, when I reached Delhi, and as soon as we arrived there, we began accelerating this project. Work on the 2,800 km dedicated freight corridors has been completed today," he added.

"Today, the Eastern and Western Freight Corridors are becoming the main backbone of the country's trade and business," Modi stated.

Modi said the 2,800-km DFC was a testament to how the country's work culture had transformed over the past 12 years.

PM Modi takes indirect aim at Rahul Gandhi

"The idea for this Dedicated Freight Corridor began in 2004. In 2006, a special company was established to carry out this work, and until 2014, files just kept shuffling from one place to another. Unfortunately, even these files weren't fortunate enough to get a dedicated corridor. The files would get stuck, hang around and wander aimlessly," he stated.

He also took a swipe at Gandhi's "Chhatron Ki Goonj" initiative, saying youngsters would stand with the truth and not be misled by what he termed "Jhooth ki Goonj" (echo of lies).

"At every nook and corner, you will find people who will try to mislead you through "Jhooth Ki Goonj", but today's youth will stand with the truth," PM Modi asserted.

"Chhatron Ki Goonj" is a student-dialogue campaign started by the Congress, in which programmes are being organised in numerous cities across the country.

Through the campaign, the Opposition party is trying to corner the ruling BJP on problems such as exam question paper leaks, costly education, irregularities in government recruitment and unemployment rates.

PM Modi said the youth could see how intently the government was working across various sectors, including solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy. He also urged the youth to develop expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

"The youth of the country have to become experts in AI, and we want our youth to excel in the field," he stated.

Modi flagged off freight train services from New Sanand, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon, and New JNPT in Navi Mumbai. He also flagged off a passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara.

(With inputs from PTI)