Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left Gujarat late on Saturday afternoon after reviewing the progress of key development projects, including the Dholera Special Investment Region, the redevelopment of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, during a meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Officials said PM Modi took stock of the status of the major projects during his interaction with the two leaders before departing for Delhi.
The meeting came towards the end of his overnight stay at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar. The Prime Minister had arrived at Ahmedabad airport late Friday evening after completing engagements in Karnataka.
He was received by Governor Acharya Devvrat and subsequently travelled to Lok Bhavan, where he was welcomed by the Governor and stayed overnight.
On Friday night, PM Modi also attended a dinner with Patel, Sanghavi, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State on the occasion of the Gujarati New Year.
The Governor, in a statement issued after welcoming the Prime Minister, described his leadership and commitment to national service as a “source of inspiration” and said Gujarat is emerging as the country’s growth engine under his guidance.
The three projects discussed during the meeting are among Gujarat’s major infrastructure and development initiatives.
Dholera, located in Ahmedabad district, is being developed as a planned industrial city and a major investment destination, with a focus on advanced manufacturing and the semiconductor sector.
Tata Electronics is setting up a semiconductor fabrication plant there, while the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway has already become operational.
The state government is also developing airport and rail connectivity to the region. The redevelopment of Sabarmati Ashram is a joint initiative of the Centre and the state government, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore.
Spread across 55 acres, the project aims to restore the historic precinct associated with Mahatma Gandhi and develop it as a memorial.
The plan includes the restoration of 28 heritage buildings and the development of museums and visitor facilities, while preserving the five-acre core of the original ashram.
Gujarat is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad at the centre of the event.
The state government has allocated Rs 301 crore towards preparations, including Rs 200 crore for the host fee, and constituted a dedicated organisation, Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games Organisation, to oversee planning and management.
The government has also initiated consultations with Commonwealth Sport, the Indian Olympic Association and international sports federations.
PM Modi’s visit had originally included a trip to the famous Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district on Saturday, November 14, to offer prayers on the occasion of Labh Pancham.
However, the state government postponed the programme amid expectations of a large gathering of devotees at the shrine during the Diwali holiday period.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi had said the Prime Minister took the decision in the interest of devotees, as the large turnout could increase further on Labh Pancham.
“PM Modi wanted the state government to ensure that pilgrims did not face any inconvenience because of arrangements for his visit and would return to the temple on another occasion,” he said.
The Ambaji shrine is one of the 51 revered Shakti Peeths and attracts pilgrims from Gujarat and neighbouring states.
–IANS–
