On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a visit to Gujarat, where he will inaugurate and unveil a multitude of significant projects, marking a substantial boost to the railway infrastructure, connectivity, and the petrochemicals sector. The Prime Minister will commence the day by flagging off 10 new Vande Bharat trains, including a route connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central.
A key highlight of the visit will be the Prime Minister’s presence at the Dedicated Freight Corridor’s (DFC) Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad, where he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate various railway and petrochemical projects collectively valued at over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The projects include the establishment of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, as well as the inauguration of the Phaltan – Baramati New line, Electric Traction System upgradation work, and two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) – New Khurja to Sahnewal (Eastern DFC) and New Makarpura to New Gholvad (Western DFC).
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Western DFC’s Operation Control Center (OCC) in Ahmedabad, underlining the government’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and control in railway systems.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi is set to launch ten new Vande Bharat trains, connecting various cities across the country, such as Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru-Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna-Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow-Dehradun, Kalaburagi-Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, and Khajuraho-Delhi (Nizamuddin).
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will extend four existing Vande Bharat train routes to enhance connectivity. Notably, these extensions include Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat to Dwarka, Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat to Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat to Prayagraj, and Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod Vande Bharat to Mangaluru. Two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia, as well as Tirupati and Kollam stations, will also be flagged off during the event.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to affordable healthcare, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the public.
In a significant move towards enhancing cargo transportation, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals, facilitating seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections, a crucial upgrade aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of train operations. The initiative includes the digital controlling of railway stations at 2646 locations, contributing to improved operational efficiency and safety.
As part of efforts to enhance passenger amenities, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 35 Rail Coach Restaurants, catering to the needs of passengers and the public while generating non-fare revenue for the railways.
The Prime Minister’s dedication to promoting local products and artisans is evident through the inauguration of more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls spread across the country. These stalls aim to boost local businesses and generate income for local artisans.
In a move towards sustainable energy, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations, contributing to India’s renewable energy goals and reducing the railways’ carbon footprint.
Shifting focus to the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Petronet LNG Petrochemicals complex, including Ethane and Propane handling facilities, valued at over Rs. 20,600 crores in Dahej, Gujarat. The strategic location of the complex near the existing LNG regasification terminal is expected to result in significant cost savings during the project’s execution and operational phases.
The petrochemicals complex is anticipated to create substantial employment opportunities, with around 50,000 persons expected to be employed during the execution phase and over 20,000 persons during its operational phase, contributing to significant socio-economic benefits in the region.
Moreover, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in Gujarat and Maharashtra, amounting to approximately Rs 400 crores. These malls are designed to celebrate and support India’s rich heritage of handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products, and One District One Product (ODOP) items, symbolizing the unity and diversity of the country. The Ekta malls aim to serve as catalysts for the development and empowerment of traditional skills and sectors.
Several other vital projects, including the dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and the development of railways goods sheds, workshops, loco sheds, pit lines/coaching depots, among others, will be undertaken by the Prime Minister during the program. These projects underscore the government’s commitment to building a modern and robust railway network, contributing not only to improved connectivity but also fostering economic growth and creating new employment opportunities.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, the first ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after his return to India from South Africa in 1915. Preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth, the ashram holds historical significance in the Gandhian legacy.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial, a project aimed at revitalizing Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. The master plan includes the expansion of the existing five-acre area of the ashram to 55 acres, with the restoration and conservation of various buildings, including ‘Hriday Kunj,’ Gandhi’s residence.
New facilities, such as an administration center, orientation center, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving, and leatherwork, will be added. The master plan also envisions a library and archives building to preserve, protect, and disseminate Gandhiji’s ideas, creating facilities for visiting scholars to use the ashram’s library and archives.
The project’s interpretation center aims to enhance visitors’ experience by offering cultural and intellectual stimulation in multiple languages, providing a comprehensive understanding of Gandhiji’s life and the ashram’s legacy. The memorial project is poised to inspire future generations with Gandhian thoughts and values, fostering a deep connection with India’s rich heritage.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat is packed with significant inaugurations, dedications, and foundation stone laying ceremonies that underscore the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, economic growth, and the promotion of India’s cultural and industrial heritage. The various projects launched are poised to have a far-reaching impact on connectivity, employment generation, and sustainable development, contributing to the nation’s progress in diverse sectors.
