Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on October 30 and 31 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹14,400 crore in Banaskantha and Ekta Nagar. The visit will also feature the release of the 24th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, the launch of railway services and celebrations marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
On October 30, the Prime Minister will visit the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) and its Embryo Transfer Technology-In Vitro Fertilisation (ET-IVF) Laboratory in Banaskantha. He will subsequently inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore to the nation and lay the foundation stone for several initiatives.
The Prime Minister will release around ₹19,000 crore under the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), providing financial assistance to farmers across the country. He will also flag off the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express and the Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU train services.
Strengthening Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure
A major highlight of the visit will be the dedication of the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre at Bhildi in Banaskantha. Spread over 127 acres, the facility has been established as a Centre of Excellence to strengthen bovine breeding, genetic improvement and advanced reproductive technologies. It is expected to accelerate breed improvement by 10 to 20 times and will be the country’s first facility dedicated to the Kankrej cattle breed.
The Prime Minister 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.
To strengthen agricultural infrastructure, 521 completed projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, involving a total project cost of around ₹4,950 crore, will be dedicated to the nation. These include cold storage facilities, warehouses, silos, greenhouses and food-processing infrastructure.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the expansion of the potato processing plant at Sanadar and commission an Automated Storage and Retrieval System for ultra-high-temperature products at Palanpur.
In horticulture, on-ground activities will commence under 12 approved clusters covering approximately 1.46 lakh hectares. The clusters are expected to benefit more than 1.3 lakh farmers, with two clusters in North Gujarat focusing on potato production.
Boost to Connectivity and Urban Infrastructure
The visit will also focus on improving transport connectivity and road infrastructure.
The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for Ahmedabad Metro Phase-2A, extending the network towards the airport, and Phase-2B, connecting the network towards GIFT City.
Phase-2A will cover more than six kilometres, with five stations between Koteshwar Road and the airport. Phase-2B will extend over 3.3 kilometres, with three stations between GIFT City and Shahpur.
The Ahmedabad-Mehsana Road, or State Highway-41, will also be upgraded from four lanes to eight lanes at an estimated cost of ₹2,600 crore. The project is expected to improve travel between Ahmedabad and North Gujarat.
In addition, the foundation stone will be laid for 4,030 new child-friendly Anganwadi Centres, while 361 completed centres will be inaugurated. The initiative, involving an investment of ₹800 crore, is expected to benefit more than four lakh people.
Bharat Parv 2026 and Ekta Prakash Parv
On the evening of October 30, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Bharat Parv 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.
The festival will showcase India’s cultural diversity through state and Union Territory pavilions, folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts and tourism attractions. It will continue until November 15.
The Prime Minister will also witness Ekta Prakash Parv, a festival of illumination celebrating India’s unity, diversity and cultural heritage. The event features a 530-metre illuminated Valley of Flowers Road, themed ‘From Ancient India to Modern India’, and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel highlighting the cultures, architecture, folk dances and lifestyles of India’s four regions.
According to the government, more than 1.5 crore LED lights have been used in the displays, with artworks created by artists from different parts of the country. The initiative also aims to promote night tourism in Ekta Nagar.
Development Projects Worth Over ₹400 Crore in Ekta Nagar
On October 31, the Prime Minister will offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity before inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹400 crore in Ekta Nagar.
The projects to be inaugurated include a sewage and water treatment plant, facade lighting, the upgradation of Narmada Ghat, an IRCTC hotel and tourism facilities such as the Rainforest, Unity and Eco Trail.
The foundation stone will be laid for projects covering road development, integrated zero-waste solid waste management, eco-tourism at Khalwani and integrated development of the Cactus and Butterfly Garden.
These initiatives are aimed at improving civic infrastructure, strengthening environmental management and enhancing tourism facilities in the region.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Focus on National Unity and Security
The Prime Minister will participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
This year’s celebrations will have ‘Vande Mataram’ as their overarching theme, highlighting patriotism, national pride and collective belonging.
The Ekta Parade will showcase the discipline, professionalism and courage of Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces and central police organisations. Special emphasis will be placed on the achievements of security forces in combating Left-Wing Extremism and the transformation of previously affected areas towards peace, security and development.
A special theatrical presentation on Naxal Mukt Bharat, organised by the National School of Drama, will feature approximately 2,000 artists from 126 districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism. The performance will depict the challenges faced by communities and their journey towards peace, security and development.
The celebrations will also feature tableaux and cultural performances centred on Vande Mataram, alongside a grand presentation involving approximately 5,000 artists showcasing India’s classical and folk traditions, music, dance and artistic heritage.
-PIB
