'60-year vision realised': Ashwini Vaishnaw as PM Modi inaugurates India's third chip plant

India's semiconductor manufacturing ambitions will take another step forward as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the country's third semiconductor plant at Sanand in Gujarat, a milestone that Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw described as the culmination of a vision that had remained unrealised for six decades.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the commencement of commercial production at CG Semi's OSAT facility in Sanand, Vaishnaw said the country's semiconductor journey had accelerated rapidly under the current government's push.

"Today is a historic day. Today, India's third semiconductor plant will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Sanand. For the last 60 years, the semiconductor industry in India has been a long standing issue. Finally, with PM Narendra Modi's vision and execution, it was possible," he said.

The minister pointed out that the first semiconductor plant was inaugurated in Sanand on February 28, followed by the second on March 31. The third facility, he said, marks another major step in strengthening India's position in the global semiconductor value chain.

Alongside the semiconductor announcement, Vaishnaw unveiled five infrastructure decisions aimed at improving mobility and rail connectivity in Ahmedabad following a meeting with local leaders and officials.

The first concerns an underpass at Omnagar, where he directed officials to complete the remaining work before Navratri. "A lot of work has been done. But whatever is left to be done, we have to do it quickly," he said.

The second decision relates to the redevelopment of Asarwa station. Vaishnaw said a new master plan has been prepared for the historically significant locality, under which a new station will be built while integrating the DRM office and surrounding land to create a large terminal for the city.

The government also plans to develop a second entry to Ahmedabad railway station from the Saranpur side to improve access and support development in the surrounding area. The station is already being upgraded into a world class facility. To ease congestion, the minister said discussions had begun with the Monument Authority on a proposed Shahpur flyover, adding that Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had assured full cooperation. A detailed master plan has also been prepared to extend the station road from Sabarmati to Sabarmati station, making it easier for passengers to access the railway hub.

Vaishnaw also provided an update on the Mumbai Ahmedabad bullet train project, saying construction is progressing rapidly and is now "almost 80% complete". The first section is expected to be inaugurated in 2027, after which the network will be opened in phases, beginning with Surat to Bilimora, followed by Wapi to Surat, Wapi to Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad to Thane and finally Ahmedabad to Mumbai. "The work is going on very fast," he said, adding that the project was fulfilling a long held aspiration for the country.