Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Kutch is poised to become the world’s largest hub for green energy. He was inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹53,400 crore ($6.4 billion) in Bhuj, Gujarat.
Addressing a gathering in the coastal district, Modi announced the launch of a new green hydrogen plant built entirely with domestic technology and declared Kandla Port as one of the three designated green hydrogen hubs in India.
“Green hydrogen is the fuel of the future,” he said, adding that the transition to renewable sources like solar and hydrogen will transform India’s energy landscape.
“Kutch is not just witnessing change, it is leading it,” Modi stated, emphasizing the region’s emergence as a key player in India’s energy security.
He noted the ongoing development of the Khavda renewable energy park — one of the largest solar projects in the world — as a major milestone in India’s clean energy push.
Massive Infrastructure Push Across Sectors
The ₹53,400 crore investment spans sectors including energy, port infrastructure, shipping, industry and housing.
Modi said the projects are designed to propel Kutch into the next phase of economic transformation, linking renewable power with port-led development and industrial growth.
He praised the district’s recovery from the 2001 earthquake, calling it a “living example of human resilience and determination.”
Once viewed as inhospitable, Kutch is now “a major hub for trade, commerce and tourism,” he said. The new initiatives, he added, are key steps toward India’s vision of a green, inclusive economy.
Expanding India’s Maritime Power
Highlighting the role of India’s coastline in national development, Modi unveiled new port infrastructure at Kandla, including an expanded cargo storage facility and a new jetty aimed at improving logistics and boosting cargo-handling capacity.
India’s maritime sector handled a record 150 million tonnes of cargo this year, with Kutch’s ports accounting for nearly one-third of that volume. “From seafood to shipping, we are building a new coastal ecosystem,” Modi said, pointing to government plans for modernizing ports, boosting exports, and creating jobs in logistics and shipbuilding.
A special fund for maritime development announced in this year’s budget will support India’s ambitions to become a global player in ship manufacturing, he added.
Focus on Coastal and Rural Transformation
The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s broader coastal development vision, referencing ancient port cities like Dholavira and Lothal as models for modern port-led urbanization. He also emphasized the launch of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to make solar power accessible to millions of rural households.
“Electricity bills are going down, and employment is going up,” Modi said, linking energy reforms to grassroots empowerment.
