Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi performed virtual bhoomi poojan for the Surat Metro Rail Project and Phase-II of Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Project in the presence of Governor of Gujarat Mr. Acharya Devvrat, Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Mr. Rajendra Trivedi and Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani.
During his virtual address, the Prime Minister said, “The Metro Rail Project will be instrumental in fulfilling the infrastructural requirements of the future generation. The project, worth more than Rs.17,000 crores, will further augment the infrastructural capacity of two of Gujarat’s biggest trade centers- Ahmedabad and Surat. This project is yet another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Phase-II of Ahmedabad Metro Project will have two corridors- one connecting Motera to Mahatma Mandir and the other connecting GNLU to GIFT City. Similarly, one corridor for the Surat Metro will connect Sarthana to Dream City and the other corridor will connect Bhesan to Santheli.
These projects are a part of the larger framework of the government to connect various cities through an integrated transport network. They will help in curbing the rising traffic in the days to come.
India was connected with a mere 250 km of Metro Rail Network before 2014. A dedicated network of 708 km of metro rail has been made operational in the last 6 years. Works of ~1000km are under progress in 27 cities.
The Prime Minister congratulated the state government for ensuring a dedicated and visionary approach towards the development of Surat..
Gujarat contributes 40% to India’s capacity of man-made fabric and 30% in man-made fibres’ category. Surat is one of the most successful cities in India. It had 20% of its area under slum in its yesteryears. Today, it is merely 6%.
The city houses more than 100 bridges out of which more than 80 have been constructed in the last 20 years. More than 12 Sewage Treatment Plants have been operational which has led to an income of more than Rs. 100 crores. The city houses some of the finest hospitals thereby adding to the ‘Ease of Living’ factor.
Talking about Gujarat’s capital, the Prime Minister said, “Gandhinagar was once known as the city of government employees and its retired personnel. We decided to change the fate of this city through a dedicated and timely planning. Today, students from various parts of the country reside in the city for availing one of the finest higher education. The Metro Rail Project will further boost the city’s transportation facility. Institutes like IIT, NFSU, PDPU, GNLU, NIFT, DAIICT, RSU, NID, etc have created a leading identity of Gandhinagar.”
A large number of global companies have also established their offices in the city and provide employment to a large number of youths. Mahatma Mandir has also contributed in providing large scale employment through various national and international events. A New Railway Station is also taking shape in the city. An increase in varied transportation options will also attract more investments.
Talking about Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister said, “The city is leading the state in terms of its financial mettle. It houses the World’s Largest Stadium. Construction of the six-lane Ahmedabad-Sarkhej-Chiloda highway is under progress. Dholera has been allocated a dedicated airport and we further plan to connect it through a rail network. Work for the same is under progress. The Ahmedabad-Surat-Mumbai Bullet Train Project is taking shape as well. Such projects will be a game changer in Gujarat’s developmental saga.”
The Prime Minister exuded with pride that Gujarat has always led India by an example and will continue to do so in the days to come. More than 80% of the state’s population receive water through the ‘Nal Se Jal’ scheme. More than 10 lakh tap water connections have been provided under the same. Narmada waters have created a wave of prosperity among the farmers. An integrated water network has been established through SAUNI Yojana and Sardar Sarovar Yojana. Villages of Gujarat receive a 24×7 power supply. In addition to that, Gujarat leads India in Solar Power too. The World’s Largest Renewable Energy Park is taking shape at Kutch. Kisan Suryoday Yojana provides day time power supply to farmers through solar energy.
The Prime Minister also talked about Asia’s Largest Ropeway at Girnar and Ghogha-Ro Pax Ferry service. He talked about the Digital Seva Setu program of the state government and lauded their efforts in providing digital governance at the doorstep of a common man. More than 50 types of services are being provided in more than 5000 villages at present. The program will soon cover more than 8000 villages.
More than 21 lakh people have reaped benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the Jan Aushadhi Stores have saved more than Rs.100 crores from people’s pockets. More than 2.5 lakh houses have been provided under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Rural and 35 lakh toilets have been constructed in the state under Swachh Bharat Mission.
Government of India has started the ‘Pragati’ platform to monitor developmental works of each state in a timely manner. The platform has enabled GOI to monitor more than 13 lakh crore projects and provide solutions to all those that were stuck due to some or the other reason for years.
Union Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Amit Shah said, “These projects have added yet another feather in Gujarat’s development. The Prime Minister, during his days as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, gave a lot of importance to the state’s infrastructural development. Today, Gujarat is the ‘Role Model’ for India when we talk about development. I am confident that the legacy will continue in the state for years to come.”
Being a witness to the state’s holistic development, Mr. Shah said that the vision of Prime Minister Mr. Modi has changed the fate of Gujarat and its citizens. The Prime Minister has created each and every citizen of Gujarat ‘Atmanirbhar’ by ensuring that development reaches at their doorstep; be it those in urban areas or rural areas, or those in tribal areas or coastal zones or the ones living in hilly regions or forests.
5 cities of India had metro rail network of a total length of 250 kms before 2014. Today, this has increased to 18 cities with a total length of 708 kms. It will further increase in the days to come.
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri said, “Phase-1 of the Metro Project will be completed by June 2022- the year when India will celebrate 75 years of independence. The project will cater to nearly 65 lakh families of the city. Metro rail projects are taking shape quite rapidly due to the vision of the Prime Minister.”
A 28 km track will be made under Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Phase-2 at a cost of Rs.5380 crores. This will connect Motera, Mahatma Mandir, PDPU and GNLU. Similarly, a 40 km track will be made in Surat at a cost of Rs.12 thousand crores. A 6.3 km underground stretch and 7 elevated corridors will be constructed as a part of the same.
Chief Minister of the state Mr. Vijay Rupani said that this event is the base of Gujarat’s futuristic development. He added that a number of visionary projects have taken shape in Gujarat under the vision of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.
He added, “Government of India has gifted various developmental projects to the state. The cities in Gujarat have become equivalent to various global metro-cities. Despite the menace of COVID-19, various projects like AIIMS, World’s Largest RE Park, Desalination plant, etc. have been initiated by the Prime Minister in the last 2 months.”
Gujarat faced a lot of injustice when it came to developmental projects before 2014. However, Mr. Modi, after assuming the office of the Prime Minister, has given a special focus to the state and further accelerated its journey of development.
The Chief Minister showed his dedication and firmness to complete Phase-1 of the Metro project by 2022.
MOS of Education Mrs.Vibhavariben dave, M.P Mr. Shambhuji Thakor, Mayor of Gandhinagar Mrs. Rita Patel, Chief Secretary Mr. Anil Mukim, ACS of Urban Development Department Mr. Mukesh Puri and a number of senior officials and dignitaries were present during the event.
