In the Gujarat district of Banaskantha, which is slated for elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lay the cornerstones for projects totaling more than Rs 8,000 crore.
In the wake of the suspension bridge collapse tragedy in Morbi, the Prime Minister cancelled his scheduled roadshow in Ahmedabad and cultural programmes and functions in Kevadia as well as Tharad in North Gujarat
Laying foundation stones for water-related projects, he said that these projects will help in irrigation facilities to more than six districts of Gujarat, including Banaskantha, Patan and Mehsana.
Recalling the difficult times the state has experienced in the past, the prime minister claimed that Gujarat’s residents’ unwavering spirit provides them the ability to overcome any adversity with whatever resources they have. There was a period when the fluoride contamination of the water in the North Gujarat region was a problem. The water difficulties have a significant impact on agriculture. The situation was such that no landowner could find a buyer if they wanted to sell their land,’ he said, adding that after he was elected Gujarat’s chief minister, his government not only recognised the Issue but also found a solution by conserving water and building ponds and check dams.
He added, “On the one side, we have the Banas Dairy, and on the other, a 100 MW solar power plant. Farmers in North Gujarat have adopted drip irrigation, which has boosted agriculture activity in the area. The objective of providing tap water to every home in the area has been achieved.
He asserted that drip and micro irrigation is being used on 4 lakh hectares of land in Banaskantha, which has prevented the water table from further depleting.
On Sardar Patel’s 147th birthday, the Prime Minister visited Kevadia and paid tribute to him at the Statue of Unity earlier in the day. At the conclusion of Aarambh 4.0, Modi also addressed the Officer Trainees of the 97th Common Foundation Course. In the late evening, the nation received the dedication of two railway projects in Ahmedabad, totaling more than Rs 2,900 crore.
These projects include the Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-Udaipur Gauge Converted Line and Lunidhar-Jetalsar Gauge Converted Line. The Prime Minister will also flag off new trains between Bhavnagar and Jetalsar and between Asarwa and Udaipur.
