Gandhinagar: In commemoration of Sardar Patel Jayanti on October 31, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to the Statue of Unity in Ektanagar. There, he will honor Sardar Patel, revered by the entire nation, by offering his respects at the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Saheb. Following this, the Prime Minister will participate in the ‘National Unity Day’ celebration in Ektanagar. He will witness a unity parade by police personnel and administer the National Unity Day pledge to the public.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in the ‘Aarambh’ (AARAMBH) program for this year and deliver an address to the officer trainees. This marks the fifth edition of the launch program, with the theme for this year being ‘Harnessing the Power of Disruption.’

Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate various development projects and tourism attractions, comprising 5 projects, 3 tourism attractions, and 3 infrastructure projects, as part of the Green Initiative. The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA) is dedicated to fostering the development of Ektanagar while emphasizing the conservation of nature, water, and culture.

Projects under the Green Initiative aimed at preserving the environment

The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority has devised a set of five projects as part of the Green Initiative, focused on the conservation of nature. On the occasion of Sardar Patel Jayanti, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will officially initiate and unveil these projects. They encompass 30 e-buses, a public bike-sharing program, the distribution of city gas facilitated by Gujarat Gas Limited, as well as the provision of golf carts to streamline transportation for tourists visiting Ektanagar. Additionally, a 4 MW solar panel system will be decommissioned.

Aligning with the green initiative, the authority is taking significant steps to enhance the environmental sustainability of transportation and amenities around the Statue of Unity. Diesel-powered buses will be replaced with electric buses to transport tourists within the Statue of Unity premises. Additionally, to offer visitors an eco-friendly mode of travel and a holistic experience of Ektanagar, a public bike-sharing system has been planned, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mobility solution. Furthermore, Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) has strategized City Gas Distribution (CGD) to provide ‘piped natural gas’ to households in Ektanagar, fostering environmental sustainability and reducing reliance on conventional fuel sources. To enhance the overall tourist experience and contribute to environmental preservation, E-Golf Carts will be introduced as an eco-friendly transportation option in Ektanagar. These will allow visitors to explore the natural beauty and scenic landscapes of the Statue of Unity surroundings. Moreover, as part of the broader green and sustainable efforts, solar panels are slated for installation in Parking 1, Parking 2, and Parking 3. This expansion is expected to increase the current solar power generation capacity of 1.4 MW to 4 MW, aligning with the commitment to develop Ektanagar with a strong focus on nature conservation.

A visitor center to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore

At an approximate cost of ₹100 crore, a visitors center is being erected to serve tourists visiting Ektanagar. This center is scheduled for inauguration by the Prime Minister on October 31. It will serve as a reception hub, offering tourist information and guidance. Additionally, the center will house shops, food courts, restaurants, and various rest and entertainment facilities, ensuring essential amenities for tourists.

In addition, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Kamalam Park, which has been built at a cost of ₹7.5 crore. This project has established a nursery for dragon fruit, known as ‘Kamalam’ in India, on the left bank of the Narmada River in Ektanagar. The nursery features a digital orientation center designed to educate both visitors and farmers about the advantages of cultivating this fruit and the methods involved. Furthermore, it houses an impressive collection of 910,000 camellia plants for distribution. Kamalam Park will prove to be an enticing attraction for Ekta Nagar visitors, owing to the pleasant ambiance of the nursery and its proximity to the Cactus Garden.

The Narmada Aarti will now be broadcast live

Drawing inspiration from the grand Mahaganga Aarti in Varanasi, the Narmada Aarti is a magnificent ritual performed on the banks of the Narmada River, specifically on a specially constructed ghat adjacent to the Ekta Nursery in Ektanagar. Expanding upon this cherished tradition, the authority is now making the Narmada Aarti accessible to a global audience by live-streaming it daily on a newly created YouTube channel.
This initiative not only unites countless devotees but also establishes international benchmarks in promoting religious tourism. The Aarti will also be broadcast live in local hotels and residences, and the authority is actively working to display it on a large LED screen installed in Ekta Nagar. This undertaking will further enrich the spiritual experience and elevate Ekta Nagar’s reputation as a prominent destination for religious tourism.

Infrastructure development in Ektanagar

At an expense of ₹7.5 crore, a 150-meter walkway with two frisking booths has been erected in Ektanagar to enhance the convenience of tourists. These new frisking booths have triple the capacity of the old ones. The inauguration of this walkway will be carried out by the Prime Minister. Furthermore, in a bid to improve healthcare facilities for the residents and tourists of Ektanagar, a sub-district hospital with a 50-bed capacity and a trauma center is also under construction. The Health Department has been allocated 6,000 square meters of land by SSNNL for the development of this sub-district hospital.

The construction of Sahakar Bhavan is underway, with an estimated cost of ₹81 crores

The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Sahakar Bhavan of the Gujarat State Co-operative Bank Ltd., a construction project valued at ₹81 crore in Ektanagar. The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Corporation Ltd. has allocated 14,688 square meters of land in Kevadia Colony to the bank for the development of this cooperative building, under a 99-year lease agreement. The construction process involved a team of experts, including architects, project management consultants, consulting engineers, and interior designers. Within the guest house building, provisions have been made for 1 VIP room, 5 VIP rooms, 28 DELUX rooms, 45 six-bed rooms, and a dormitory for drivers. These accommodations can host a total of 360 individuals, complete with air conditioning, televisions, and WiFi. Additionally, an auditorium with seating for approximately 300 people and advanced audio-video systems has been set up for training and meetings. There is also a conference room capable of accommodating 35 individuals, equipped with video conferencing facilities.

Saharkar Bhavan features a general dining area to accommodate 136 individuals, as well as a VIP dining space for 56 guests, both complemented by a state-of-the-art kitchen. Furthermore, the complex offers ample parking facilities for 321 two-wheelers and 75 four-wheelers. Inside the Bhavan, you can also find samples of paintings and a temple showcasing the rich culture of Gujarat.

Ekta Skill Development Centre

The Ekta Skill Development Center, operated by the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation in Ektanagar, is actively providing training across various courses. These courses encompass a total of 10 different programs, including e-auto driver, light motor vehicle driver, housekeeping and room attendant, assistant electrician, front office associate, computer/data entry operator, assistant beauty therapist, food and beverages steward, masonry technician, and tourist guide. As of March 2023, a cumulative total of 1141 trainees have successfully completed their training at this center, with 787 trainees either securing placements or becoming self-employed.