PM Modi Inaugurates 31 Projects Worth ₹426.71 Crore at Gujarat's Ekta Nagar, Foundation Stones Laid

Gujarat's Ekta Nagar is set for a major tourism and infrastructure boost, with 31 projects worth ₹426.71 crore inaugurated or taken up for development around the Statue of Unity on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar on October 31, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The projects were announced as part of efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure and develop the Statue of Unity area as a major national and international tourist destination.

Of the total projects, 23 worth ₹307.83 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for eight projects estimated at ₹118.88 crore.

Major Tourism Attractions at Ekta Nagar

Among the key attractions inaugurated were an IRCTC hotel constructed at a cost of ₹50 crore, the Ekta Cruise worth ₹16 crore, a Rain Forest attraction costing ₹14.30 crore and an Eco Trail developed for ₹3.67 crore.

Travelators worth ₹28.22 crore have also been developed to make it easier for visitors to move around the tourist complex.

Other facilities include two nine-metre-long air-conditioned electric buses, an upgraded Unity Glow Garden, development of Ekta Prakash Parv and sculptures and architectural features at various locations.

The projects also cover beautification of the Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat, facade lighting across the Statue of Unity campus and extension of the walkway connecting Ekta Nagar railway station to the Visitor Centre.

Water, Sewage and Road Infrastructure Projects

Several inaugurated projects focus on strengthening basic infrastructure and visitor facilities.

These include a sewage treatment plant costing ₹45.53 crore, a water treatment plant worth ₹21.40 crore and a parade track with associated works estimated at ₹23.81 crore.

A 24-metre-wide colony road developed at a cost of ₹23 crore and staff quarters worth ₹14.25 crore were also among the completed projects.

Other works include CISF barracks, water stations at different locations, a terminal building and jetty near Mokhadi village, and road development near Gate No. 8 of the Statue of Unity.

Landscaping using Geocell technology has also been undertaken to improve greenery and the appearance of stone-pitched slopes near the new high-level Gora Bridge.

Eight New Projects Worth ₹118.88 Crore

Foundation stones were laid for eight projects aimed at improving connectivity, tourism and waste management in the region.

The major projects include:

• Gora-Bhanadra Road development: ₹59.32 crore
• Smart Zero Waste integrated solid waste management project: ₹36.58 crore
• Khalwani Bridge development: ₹7.72 crore
• Integrated Cactus and Butterfly Garden: ₹5.79 crore
• Khalwani Eco-Tourism development: ₹5.15 crore

The remaining works include widening of Vaghadia Road to improve access to the river rafting point and solid waste disposal site, along with construction of a disaster control room for the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The disaster control facility is intended to strengthen emergency response and management around the dam.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Celebrations at Statue of Unity

The projects coincided with the 151st birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity.

The programme included floral tributes to Patel, while the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations featured the Ekta Parade, with participation from Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces and central police organisations.

The latest projects form part of the Gujarat government's efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure and develop Ekta Nagar as a major tourist destination.

The Statue of Unity, dedicated to India's first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is located near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat's Narmada district. It is the world's tallest statue.