PM Modi Holds Rally in Banaskantha, Launches Development Projects Worth Over Rs 14,000 Crore

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Gujarat on Friday. The tour began with a road show in Banaskantha, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 14 thousand crore. These projects include schemes related to agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, transport, rural infrastructure and child welfare. Especially the farmers, cattle herders and common people of North Gujarat are expected to get benefits from these. The Prime Minister will reach Ekta Nagar in Kevadiya on October 31, where National Unity Day celebrations will be organised on the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

What will the dairy and animal husbandry sector get in Banaskantha?

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Center (BBBRC) in Banaskantha. Developed on 127 acres in Bhildi, this center will work on breed improvement, genetic development and modern breeding techniques of animals. It is said to be the first of its kind center in the country for Kankrej breed of cattle. This is expected to speed up the process of breed improvement by 10 to 20 times.

In the dairy sector, two bio-CNG plants will be developed by Banas Dairy at Tharad and Radhanpur. Their capacity will be to process 75 and 100 metric tons of cow dung per day respectively. With this, animal waste can be used for energy production.

Which projects will be started for farmers?

The Prime Minister will dedicate 521 projects completed under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund. About Rs 4,950 crore has been spent on these. These include warehouses, silos, cold storage, cold chains, polyhouses, greenhouses and integrated processing centres.

Apart from this, expanded potato processing plant at Sanadar and automated storage and retrieval system for ultra high temperature products at Palanpur will be inaugurated. 12 horticulture clusters will also start work on the land in about 1.46 lakh hectares. More than 1.3 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from these. The two clusters in North Gujarat will focus exclusively on potato production. The Prime Minister will also release financial assistance of Rs 19 thousand crore to farmers across the country under the 24th installment of PM-Kisan Yojana.

How will Ahmedabad Metro and road network be strengthened?

To expand transportation facilities in Gujarat, two new extensions will be built in the second phase of Ahmedabad Metro. Under Airport Extension i.e. Phase-2A, a route of more than six kilometers will be developed from Koteshwar Road to the airport, on which there will be five stations. Whereas in Phase-2B, a more than 3.3 kilometer long route will be built from Gift City to Shahpur, which will have three stations.

A plan to expand Ahmedabad-Mehsana Road i.e. State Highway-41 from four lanes to eight lanes is also included. The project, costing around Rs 2,600 crore, is expected to ease transportation between Ahmedabad and North Gujarat.

To improve railway connectivity, Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express and Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU train will also be flagged off.

What is the plan for Anganwadi and child welfare?

In the field of child welfare, Gujarat will get the gift of 4,030 new child-friendly Anganwadi centres. Along with this, 361 already completed centers will be inaugurated. Around Rs 800 crore will be spent on this initiative and more than four lakh people are expected to benefit from it.

How will National Unity Day be celebrated at the Statue of Unity?

The Prime Minister will reach the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya on October 31 and offer floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. After this will participate in the National Unity Day celebration. During this period, Bharat Parv 2026 will also be inaugurated. The event will run till November 15, in which culture, folk arts, food, handicrafts and tourist places of various states and union territories of the country will be displayed.

Ekta Prakash Parv will also be the center of attraction in Ekta Nagar. Under this, the 530 meter long Valley of Flowers Road has been decorated on the theme of 'Ancient India to Modern India'. At the same time, the 180 meter long Glow Tunnel will be based on the concept of 'Unity in Diversity of India'. More than 1.5 crore LED lights have been used in these attractions.

What are the projects worth more than Rs 400 crore in Ekta Nagar?

Development projects worth more than Rs 400 crore will be inaugurated and foundation stones laid in Ekta Nagar. These include sewage and water treatment plants, facade lighting of buildings, improvement of Narmada Ghat, development of IRCTC hotels and tourism facilities.

Apart from this, foundation stone will be laid for development of Gora-Bhadra Road, Integrated Zero-Waste Smart Solid Waste Management Project, Khalwani Eco Tourism Development and Integrated Development of Cactus and Butterfly Garden.

The programme will conclude with the National Unity Day Parade. Personnel from Central Armed Police Forces, State Police Forces and Central Police Organisations will participate in it. This time the parade will also showcase the action of security forces against leftist extremism and the changes towards peace, security and development in the affected areas.