PM Modi Kicks Off Development Initiatives in Gujarat's Banaskantha
Prime Minister's Visit to Banaskantha
File image of PM Modi accompanied by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi during a grand public roadshow in Banaskantha, Gujarat(Photo: @ians_india/X)
Banaskantha, Oct 30: On Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, where he was greeted with great enthusiasm during a public roadshow. He was joined by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
This visit marks the beginning of PM Modi's two-day tour in Gujarat on October 30 and 31, during which he is set to unveil and dedicate development projects exceeding Rs 14,000 crore in Banaskantha. Additionally, he will release the 24th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), totaling approximately Rs 19,000 crore.
A key highlight of the day will be the inauguration of the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) in Bhildi, which is being dedicated to the nation.
Spanning 127 acres, this facility is designed as a Centre of Excellence aimed at enhancing cattle breeding, genetic advancements, and advanced reproductive technologies.
Notably, this will be the first facility in the country specifically focused on the Kankrej cattle breed.
The Prime Minister’s Office has indicated that this centre is anticipated to boost breed improvement by 10-20 times.
Prior to the inauguration, PM Modi emphasized the centre's significance in a post on the social media platform X, stating it would enhance milk production per animal, elevate breed quality, increase farmers' incomes, and aid in the conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister is expected to lay the foundation stones for two Bio-CNG plants operated by Banas Dairy in Tharad and Radhanpur, which will process cattle dung at capacities of 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes per day, respectively.
Other projects on the agenda include the expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro towards the airport and GIFT City, the widening of the Ahmedabad-Mehsana Road from four to eight lanes at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore, and the establishment of 4,030 new child-friendly Anganwadi centres.
PM Modi will also dedicate 521 completed projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, with a total project cost of around Rs 4,950 crore, and will flag off the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express and Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU services.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will head to Ekta Nagar in Narmada district to inaugurate 'Bharat Parv 2026' and participate in 'Ekta Prakash Parv' as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.