Live: PM Modi in Gujarat, Launches ₹14,000-Crore Projects in Banaskantha

Banaskantha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Gujarat on Friday (October 30), with a series of development projects, railway initiatives and cultural programmes scheduled in Banaskantha and Ekta Nagar to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Modi will begin his visit in Banaskantha, where he will visit the Embryo Transfer Technology-In Vitro Fertilisation (ET-IVF) Laboratory and the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) cattle farm at around 9:30 am.

At around 10:30 am, he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore. He will also release the 24th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, amounting to ₹19,000 crore, flag off two train services and address a public gathering.

Among the major projects is the inauguration of the 127-acre Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre at Bhildi, a Centre of Excellence dedicated to strengthening bovine breeding, genetic improvement and advanced reproductive technologies. The facility will be the country’s first dedicated to the Kankrej cattle breed.

He will also lay the foundation stones for two Bio-CNG plants of Banas Dairy at Tharad and Radhanpur, with capacities to process 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day, respectively.

Other key projects include the Ahmedabad Metro Phase-2A airport extension and Phase-2B GIFT City extension, the eight-laning of Ahmedabad-Mehsana Highway (SH-41) at an estimated cost of ₹2,600 crore, and the development of 4,030 child-friendly Anganwadi centres. He will also inaugurate 361 completed Anganwadi centres.

The Prime Minister will dedicate 521 projects developed under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, involving investments of around ₹4,950 crore, and inaugurate the expansion of the potato processing plant at Sanadar and an automated storage and retrieval system for ultra-high-temperature products at Palanpur.

He will flag off the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express and Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU services. The release of the 24th PM-KISAN instalment will provide financial assistance to farmers across the country.

Modi’s Ekta Nagar engagements

Following his Banaskantha engagements, Modi will reach Ekta Nagar in Narmada district. At around 5 pm, he will inaugurate Bharat Parv 2026, a festival showcasing India’s cultural heritage, traditional cuisines, handicrafts and folk performances. The festival will continue until November 15.

At around 7:45 pm, he will witness Ekta Prakash Parv, a large-scale illumination display featuring more than 1.5 crore LED lights across attractions, including the 530-metre Valley of Flowers Road and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel. He will subsequently participate in the Narmada Aarti at around 8:15 pm.

On Saturday (October 31), the Prime Minister will offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity at around 9 am before inaugurating, dedicating and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹400 crore in Ekta Nagar.

The projects include a sewage and water treatment plant, upgraded Narmada Ghat, facade lighting, an IRCTC hotel and new tourism attractions such as the Rainforest, Unity and Eco Trail. He will also visit the Rain Forest and Vaman Vriksha Vatika.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations

The two-day visit will culminate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31, commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The celebrations will feature the traditional Ekta Parade by Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces and central police organisations, showcasing their discipline, courage and contributions to national security.

A special theatrical presentation on Naxal Mukt Bharat, organised by the National School of Drama, will feature around 2,000 artists from 126 districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism, depicting their transformation towards peace, security and development.

The celebrations will also include tableaux and cultural performances themed around Vande Mataram, along with a grand presentation featuring approximately 5,000 artists from across the country, showcasing India’s classical and folk traditions.