Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vadodara on September 8 is expected to stand out not only because of the scale of infrastructure projects planned, but also due to an unusual experiment aimed at encouraging public participation. For the first time, citizens were invited to register for a Prime Minister’s public programme in Vadodara free of charge through the BookMyShow platform.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) used the private ticketing platform to manage registrations for the event, titled “NaMo for Viksit Bharat”, which will take place at the Maharaja Sayajirao University Pavilion on Tuesday. The programme is expected to bring together citizens, students, professionals, teachers, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and civil society members to discuss the government’s vision of building a developed India by 2047.
The registration response was immediate. All available seats were filled within an hour of registrations opening, while more than 42,000 additional people were reportedly placed on a waiting list, news agency ANI reported. Registrations were later shut.
Entry to the event will also be entirely digital. Registered participants will receive an electronic M-ticket through their BookMyShow accounts, featuring a live QR code that will be scanned to verify entry.
The public programme is part of a busy schedule for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also scheduled to visit Maharashtra on Tuesday. In Vadodara, at around noon, he is expected to inaugurate projects, dedicate completed works to the nation and lay foundation stones for development initiatives collectively valued at more than Rs 35,000 crore.
RAIL CONNECTIVITY, CARGO OPS IN PM MODI'S GUJARAT-MAHARASHTRA VISIT
One of the key highlights will be the inauguration of three sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor covering 326 km, which will make the entire freight corridor network operational.
Constructed at a cost of more than Rs 20,700 crore, the sections will establish direct rail connectivity between northern India and Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT). The improved link is expected to speed up EXIM cargo movement, reduce logistics expenses and ease congestion on existing railway routes.
Modi will also flag off freight services from New Sanand, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT. A new passenger train connecting Vadodara with Tanda Road will also be launched.
The Prime Minister will dedicate the Jobat-Tanda Road railway line, which is intended to connect remote and tribal regions of Alirajpur with the national railway network. Foundation stones will also be laid for three railway projects covering 329 km and costing more than Rs 9,700 crore. In addition, three highway projects worth around Rs 1,780 crore will be initiated.
Several Gujarat government projects with a combined value of approximately Rs 2,600 crore are also part of the programme. These include the second phase of the Vadodara ring road, a 110 MW floating solar power project at Kadana Dam and a new municipal corporation office. Housing units under PMAY and a water supply project covering 11 villages will also be inaugurated.
Later in the day, Modi is scheduled to travel to Mumbai, where he will inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026. This year’s event will focus on agentic AI, tokenisation and quantum technologies and their role in developing financial systems that are trusted, interconnected and inclusive.
