Indian PM Modi to visit Gujarat on May 26-27, inaugurate and launch development projects worth Rs 53,414 crore
Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on May 26 and 27, his first visit to the state following Operation Sindoor, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar, a Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO) release said on Saturday.
On May 26 in Bhuj, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 33 development projects worth Rs 53,414 crore, with the projects spanning key sectors and will be undertaken by major departments and Boards including the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Roads and Buildings Department, Water Supply Department, Pavitra Yatra Dham Vikas Board, Power Grid, and Deendayal Port Authority, the release said.
According to the release, PM modi will inaugurate development projects including 220/66 kV Babarzar Substation, 132/66 kV Kansumra Substation in Jamnagar; 66 kV HTLS Transmission Lines in Amreli, Junagadh, and Gir Somnath; 11 MW Solar PV Project at Jambudiya Vidi in Morbi; 10 MW Solar PV Project at Manjal, 35 MW Solar PV Project at Lakadia in Kutch; 210 MW Solar PV Project at Babarjar in Jamnagar; Widening and strengthening of Layja-Bada-Mapar-Modkuba-Lathedi-Sandhan-Suthari Road in Kutch; Expansion and strengthening of Bhirandiyara-Hodko-Dhordo Tent City Road; Banaskantha-Sankari Project: Transmission network extension to increase Available Transfer Capability (ATC); Oil Jetty No 8, Dome and transit storage godowns at Cargo Jetty area, Port Area Expansion for EXIM cargo storage in Kandla; Additional road connectivity from Adipur to Cargo Berth 16 and National Highway 141; Common connectivity for the container terminal at Tuna-Tekra; D-type residential quarters at Port Colony in Gopalpuri; Centre of Excellence at DPA Administrative Office in Gandhidham; Development of temple premises and surrounding area, including Khatla Bhavani and Chachar Kund at Mata na Madh.
Additionally, the foundation stone for key development projects will be laid, including 800 kV HVDC project for power transmission from the newly developed Khawda Renewable Energy Zone; Transmission system for an additional 7 GW of power from Khawda Renewable Park; 400/220 kV Mevasa Substation, 400/220 kV Dholera-2 Substation in Kutch and Ahmedabad respectively; 800 MW Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plant Unit, Remodeling of the new marshalling yard for the coal handling plant at Ukai, Tapi; Pump mode operation for the 60 MW unit of Kadana Hydro Electric Plant; Storm-proof underground power distribution network in Gandhidham city, Construction of the Palasava-Bhimsar-Hamirpur-Fategadh CC road, Strengthening of the Kotda-Bitta Road, Group Improvement Water Supply Scheme in Abdasa in Kutch; Four-lane high-speed corridor from Bhuj to Nakhatrana; Construction of a 10 MW Green Hydrogen Production Facility, Construction of 3 Road Over Bridges and improvement of 6-lane roads at Kandla; Development of Hyperloop Pod Technology at Kandla Port; and Tourism infrastructure development at Dholavira.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
India Pavilion inaugurated by Crown Prince of Norway with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Oslo
Oslo: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, joined His Royal Highness (HRH) The Crown Prince of Norway, Haakon, in Oslo, on Tuesday to jointly inaugurate the India Pavilion at Nor-Shipping, a premium global maritime event. Marking India's first-ever participation in this premier global maritime event, the pavilion is designed to showcase the country's maritime strengths and serve as a platform to foster alliances and cooperation with international maritime players, enhancing India's capabilities in the sector. HRH The Crown Prince was accompanied by the Union Minister as both of them visited the stalls at the India pavilion. The Union Minister escorted the Crown Prince around the India Pavilion before taking him to show the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) model at the pavilion, which drew applause from the Norwegian Prince. The Crown Prince enquired about India's maritime legacy and quipped that 'India's four thousand years old maritime history is older than Norwegian Viking maritime tradition'. The NMHC, being developed at Lothal in Gujarat, is aimed at preserving and showcasing India's maritime heritage from the Indus Valley Civilisation up to this date. NMHC is dedicated to the legacy of maritime heritage of India. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sonowal, said, "Under PM Narendra Modi ji's guidance, India is embarking on an ambitious maritime journey, one that is simultaneously rooted in our heritage and geared for the future. PM Modi ji's philosophy of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi", Development as well as Heritage, guides all our endeavours. It reminds us that as we build smart ports, modern ships, and digital infrastructure, we must also preserve and celebrate the ancient wisdom of our seas, our shipbuilders, and our sailors. India has a glorious maritime past that stretches back over 5,000 years, from the dockyards of the Indus Valley to the vibrant spice trade of the southern coast. In line with this philosophy, we are developing a world-class institution: the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat." During his visit to the India Pavilion, The Crown Prince took a keen interest in India's recent economic performance and expressed admiration for the country's robust annual growth exceeding 8 per cent this year. The Crown Prince confirmed his upcoming visit to India later this year, accompanied by a high-level business delegation. As a gesture of goodwill, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the Crown Prince with a commemorative plaque inspired by the Harappan civilisation. The Minister also extended an invitation to the Crown Prince to visit the upcoming NMHC and sought Norway's cooperation in the project's successful realisation. At the India Pavilion in the Nor-Shipping event, there are leading Indian maritime companies such as Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Ltd, Mandovi Dry Docks, and L&T Shipbuilding. They are accompanied by key MSME players in the maritime sector, including Chowgule & Company, Yeoman Marine Services, Shoft Shipyard, Marine Electricals, SEDS, SWAN Defence, Buoyancy Consultants, among others, showcasing the breadth and depth of India's maritime industry. Adding further, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "We see Norway not just as a maritime leader of the modern era, but as a natural and trusted partner in this journey. Your seafaring legacy, your pioneering spirit, from Viking longships to Arctic expeditions, is truly inspiring. India proposes a comprehensive partnership with Norway for the NMHC, encompassing three kinds of collaboration, Cultural collaboration, through exchange of maritime artefacts, archival material, and exhibitions that tell the story of global navigation and Indo-Nordic connections; Technological collaboration, drawing upon Norway's expertise in museum design, digital storytelling, sustainability, and heritage conservation; and Academic and institutional collaboration, with Norwegian museums and universities, to jointly promote research in marine archaeology, shipbuilding traditions, and conservation science. This is not merely a project, it is a living bridge between our civilisations, our innovations, and our visions for the future. I believe that with your partnership, India and Norway can together chart a new maritime horizon--one that is sustainable, inclusive, and inspired by heritage." During the Crown Prince's visit to the India Pavilion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also highlighted the special bilateral relationship that both countries enjoy with each other. India and Norway, as key maritime nations, share a robust and growing partnership. Norwegian shipowners have offices in India, with Indian seafarers making up 10% of their vessel crews. Indian shipyards, like Cochin Shipyard, have built several large Norwegian vessels, showcasing India's shipbuilding strength. The collaboration extends to the blue economy, with joint initiatives in marine spatial planning, pollution research, tsunami early warning systems, and deep-sea mining. The Joint Task Force on Blue Economy, established in 2019, continues to drive sustainable development and innovation in the maritime sector. Sarbananda Sonowal paid homage at the 'Minnehallen Memorial' in Stavern, Norway Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal became the first Indian Minister to visit the 'Minnehallen Memorial' in Stavern, paying tribute to fallen sailors with solemn respect. Sonowal paid obeisance and remembered the 86 Indian seafarers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Speaking after the visit, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "It is an honour to visit the Minnehallen Memorial and pay tribute to the brave 94 Indian sailors who served with courage and sacrifice during World War II. Their legacy of dedication and commitment inspires us to strengthen maritime ties and uphold their spirit of resilience." During World War II, Indian seafarers formed the third largest foreign national group serving aboard Norwegian merchant ships. Most hailed from Punjab and Bengal, with a notable number of Christian sailors from Goa as well. At least 86 Indian seamen lost their lives in the line of duty. In honour of their sacrifice, the Norwegian government inscribed their names on copper plaques, which are now installed at the Minnehallen Memorial. The Seamen's Memorial Hall is Norway's official memorial in commemoration of the seafarers who perished during the First and Second World War. In the crypt of the memorial, 8000 names of deceased seafarers are engraved into copper plates.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Times of Oman
"Trip of a lifetime, meeting PM Modi was very special": US Second Lady Usha Vance recalls India visit
Washington, DC: US Second Lady Usha Vance has recalled her visit to India and her children's experience in India and called the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi "very special." She said that her children put PM Modi in the grandfather category, and they love him and were hugging him when they visited his residence during their visit to India. In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday (local time), Vance called the visit to India a "trip of lifetime for them" and added that it was her children's first visit to India. She also spoke about visiting places in North India, including Taj Mahal and enjoying Indian food. Asked about her India visit, she said, "It really was the trip of a lifetime for us. My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and, JD's entry into politics and all that. And so they'd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories. food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective. And then for me and JD, I think it just could not have been any more special. We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sites in North India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right. The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see, everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background." Vance recalled how her kids had met PM Modi in Paris, and he had given her five-year-old son a birthday present that day. She said PM Modi was very kind and generous to the kids, and the talks between PM Modi and US Vice President JD Vance were "productive." She also spoke about seeing a puppet show in India, which included bits from Ramayana. Usha Vance said, "Meeting the Prime Minister, that was really very special. We'd actually had a chance to meet him before. And it's funny, my kids saw him. They were sort of sleep deprived in Paris and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. They are very into him. They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. So, when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." "I think it was very productive conversation for JD and the Prime Minister, of course. But also, think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good. And as you mentioned, there was a puppet show. That was a particular highlight with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate a home of construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine," she added. Talking about her children's individual experiences, Usha Vance shared that her eldest son, Ewan, was particularly captivated by the temple sculptures, while her middle child, Vivek, was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks. Her daughter's favorite moment was a ride in an auto-rickshaw. Talking about her children's experience in India, Vance said, "I think JD has probably told the story at some point, but when we were at the Prime Minister's residence, our son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat, that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his our children, they talk about it all the time actually. They've been all over the place and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them. Ewan, our oldest, was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited. He just thought it was incredible craftsmanship and of course showed things that he was very familiar with from stories and from talking with me." "And then, Vivek, our middle child, was very excited to meet elephants and peacocks and a camel and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. And then our daughter thinks she's sort of along for the ride. She really enjoyed her time in an auto rickshaw. That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had lot of fun with that," she added. JD Vance and his family were on a four-day official visit to India in April. During the visit, PM Modi Modi hosted Vice President Vance and his family at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. During the visit, the children had several playful moments with the Prime Minister. From exploring the lawns to seeing the bird feeder inquisitively, the children indulged in an immersive experience at the Prime Minister's residence. While inside, PM Modi shared several lively moments with Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel. PM Modi presented the three children with peacock feathers. Mirabel Vance was seen enjoying a heartwarming moment with her father, holding the feather.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Times of Oman
ADB President announces $10 billion for India's urban infrastructure
New Delhi: Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has committed up to $10 billion, including third-party capital, for India's urban transformation, including metro extensions, new regional rapid transit system (RRTS) corridors, and urban infrastructure and services. This is a five-year initiative, ADB said in a statement on Sunday. "Cities are engines of growth," ADB President Kanda said after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in the national capital. "ADB will mobilize capital, accelerate delivery, and scale solutions that keep India's urban economy moving and people thriving on the road to Viksit Bharat @ 2047," the ADB President added. The five-year plan includes sovereign loans, private sector financing, and third-party capital. "Had a wonderful meeting with Mr. Masato Kanda, in which we shared perspectives on a wide range of issues. India's rapid transformation over the last decade has empowered countless people and we are working to add further momentum in this journey!" PM Modi wrote in a post on X after meeting the ADB President. The initiative is anchored by India's flagship Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), which ADB is supporting to attract private investment for urban infrastructure. Completed analytical work on growth hubs, creative city redevelopment, and water and sanitation upgrades in 100 cities across India is laying the groundwork for the UCF. ADB is also committing USD 3 million in technical assistance to design bankable projects and strengthen the capacity of states and urban local bodies. India's towns and cities are projected to house more than 40 per cent of the population by 2030. ADB has already worked with more than 110 cities across 22 states on water supply, sanitation, housing, and solid-waste management projects, and the active urban portfolio totals 27 loans worth USD 5.15 billion. On urban transport, over the past decade, ADB has committed USD 4 billion for metro projects and RRTS covering 300 kilometers in eight cities, including the Delhi-Meerut RRTS, Mumbai Metro, Nagpur Metro, Chennai Metro, and Bengaluru Metro. During his India visit, Kanda also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss expanding metro networks including transit-oriented development (TOD), supporting rural prosperity, scaling rooftop-solar capacities, and operationalizing the UCF. In addition, he met Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal to map next steps for channelling private capital into urban projects, replicating ADB-backed urban transport successes on new corridors, and creating TOD opportunities. Kanda visited the ADB-supported Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, India's first RRTS, and spoke with women whose livelihoods have improved through project-linked training. In Gurugram, he visited the renewable-energy company ReNew to discuss stronger collaboration in renewable energy, followed by a roundtable with chief executives from infrastructure, finance, agriculture, and social sector firms. In that meeting, he emphasized that India's private sector can provide the scale and dynamism needed to drive India's growth. Under ADB's country partnership strategy for India, 2023-2027, it stands ready to provide more than USD 5 billion in financing each year, including about USD 1 billion in non-sovereign operations to catalyse additional private investment. ADB began operations in India in 1986. As of April 2025, it had committed USD 59.5 billion in sovereign lending and $9.1 billion in nonsovereign investments. The active sovereign portfolio comprises 81 loans totaling USD 16.5 billion as of April 2025. Founded in 1966, the multilateral development bank ADB is owned by 69 members--50 from the region.
