Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in an inspiring conversation with members of the team working on India’s first bullet train project during his visit to Surat, Gujarat. The exchange reflected a mix of pride, passion, and a shared sense of national purpose, as engineers and workers described their roles in shaping one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
The interaction began with a young worker proudly telling the Prime Minister, “The bullet train is our identity. This achievement belongs to you, Modi ji, and to us.” Smiling, the Prime Minister responded warmly, asking, “What do you think? Is the speed fine? Are you working according to the timetable you had set, or are you facing any difficulties?” The worker reassured him, “No sir, we are not facing any difficulties.”
During the conversation, a worker from Kerala shared his experience of being part of the project. “I am working in Section-2, Navsari Noise Barrier Factory,” he said. “It’s my first time in Gujarat. I’m observing the robotic unit where the rebar cage for the noise barrier is welded using advanced robotic technology.”
The Prime Minister asked him how it felt to be part of such a landmark national project. The worker replied, “Sir, it feels like a dream. The work I am doing now will be very useful in the future. It’s a proud moment for my family and for me.”
Prime Minister Modi encouraged the team to take pride in their work, drawing a parallel with India’s early space missions. “Unless you feel from within that you are working for your country and giving something new to the nation, the work won’t have the same meaning,” he said. “The person who launched India’s first satellite must have felt this same spirit. And today, hundreds of satellites are being launched.”
Another team member, Shruti from Bengaluru, introduced herself as the Lead Engineering Manager overseeing design and engineering control. She described the team’s problem-solving approach, explaining how each stage of the project is carefully evaluated for improvement. “If something doesn’t work, we analyse why and look for alternate solutions,” she said.
Impressed, the Prime Minister suggested that their experiences be documented for future generations. “If a ‘blue book’ is prepared with your learnings, it will help immensely when India builds more bullet trains. Replication is possible only when there’s a deep understanding of why certain methods are used. Such records can guide future engineers and even students,” he remarked.
In a touching moment, one of the employees summed up the team’s sentiment: “We want neither fame nor reward. We only want the nation to progress. That is our desire.”
Visibly moved, the Prime Minister replied, “Wah!” The interaction ended on an emotional note as the employee said, “Modi ji, may all your dreams come true. May the country’s name always rise high, again and again. The bullet train is our identity; this achievement is yours and ours.”
The conversation highlighted the deep sense of ownership and national pride among the workforce driving India’s first bullet train project — a symbol of speed, technology, and modern India’s determination to move ahead with confidence.