Gandhinagar: On October 31, marking the auspicious alignment of Diwali and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bestow Ekta Nagar with development projects and tourist attractions. On National Unity Day, the Prime Minister will visit Ekta Nagar in the Narmada district to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects valued at over ₹284 crore. The iconic Statue of Unity in Kevadia, the tallest statue in the world, has become a global tourist attraction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate new projects, including the Bonsai Garden, Sewage Treatment Plant, Sardar Sarovar Dam Experience Center, Sub-District Hospital, Traffic Circles, and Smart Bus Stop, which will drive further development in Ekta Nagar.

Prime Minister to Inaugurate Sub-District Hospitals, Traffic Circles, and Smart Bus Stops

PM Modi will inaugurate several key facilities at Ekta Nagar on October 31, including the Sub-District Hospital, traffic circles, smart bus stops, CESL car charging port, a 4 MW solar project, and ICU-on-wheels. The newly constructed sub-district hospital, which has a capacity of 50 beds and was built at a cost of ₹22 crore, will provide essential medical services to citizens. This facility includes a trauma centre, gynaecological operating theatre, minor operating theatre, OT room, CT scan, ICU, labour room, special ward, physiotherapy ward, surgeon’s cabin, medical store, and an ambulance. Additionally, two ICU-on-wheels will be flagged off.

The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SoUADTGA) is developing 10 smart bus stops and 10 pick-up stands for tourists in Ekta Nagar, with Phase 1 set to be inaugurated. Moreover, traffic circles have been constructed at Ekta Nagar 3 Rasta, Garudeshwar Chowk, opposite Children Nutrition Park, and near Sahakar Bhavan at a cost of ₹2.58 crore to improve traffic management and enhance the city’s aesthetics. Other facilities to be inaugurated include push-button pedestrian crossings at 10 locations in Ekta Nagar, car charging points near Reva Bhavan, and a running track for the SRP force to ensure pedestrian safety.

Beautiful sculptures will be installed at 24 locations in Ekta Nagar, alongside the inauguration of a 4 MW solar project

The Statue of Unity Authority, in collaboration with the SAPTI Institute, hosted a 20-day Sculpture Symposium at Ekta Nagar in July 2024. During this event, 24 sculptures were crafted by renowned sculptors from across the country, centred around the themes of water, nature, and unity. These sculptures will be installed at 24 locations to enhance the beauty of Ekta Nagar. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the walkways from Bus Bay to Viewpoint-1 and from Ekta Dwar (Ekta Gate) to Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan (Phase-1). Tourists will also experience the expansion of the Miyawaki Forest and the beautification of Helipad Road. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a 4 MW solar project, developed at a cost of ₹23.26 crore, to promote renewable energy.

A world-class bonsai garden focused on sustainability will be established; foundation stones to be laid for various other projects

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a ₹75 crore sewage treatment plant at Ekta Nagar on 31 October 2024. This facility will promote public health and safety by systematically managing sewage disposal from around 4,000 homes, government quarters, and other hospitality establishments. In addition, the foundation stones for the Fire Staff Residential Quarters and the Sardar Sarovar Dam Experience Center will also be laid. The Experience Center will showcase the dam’s operations and its transformative impact through six galleries focused on vision, creation, knowledge, influence, progress, and energy. Furthermore, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a bonsai garden aimed at promoting sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. This world-class bonsai garden will honour the intricate art of bonsai, merging horticulture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage.

Development of Satpuda Protection Wall and Jetty

In response to the 2023 floods, the protection wall near the Cactus Garden will be extended to strengthen flood defences while also creating a riverfront, food stalls, and walkways for visitors. The development of the jetty will further enhance transportation options. Additionally, since the area planned for the hospitality district in Garudeshwar was drowned during the floods, it has been decided to raise the land level at an investment of over ₹60 crore to protect it from future flooding. DeshGujarat