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Principal Secretary to PM visits Dholera and Lothal, conducts site inspections, high-level review meetings
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, on Monday conducted site inspections and high-level review meetings in Dholera and Lothal to assess key infrastructure projects there. He was accompanied by two other officials in the Prime Minister's Office – Adviser to the PM, Tarun Kapoor, and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal.
Giving details of Mishra's visit, a release from the Press Information Bureau stated that he visited the under-construction Ahmedabad–Dholera Greenfield Expressway, implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and highlighted the expressway's potential to reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera to 45 minutes while emphasising timely execution with global-quality road standards.
At Dholera, the release stated, Mishra assessed the progress of Dholera International Airport and was informed by officials that cargo operations would commence by October.
He directed authorities to adhere to timelines and ensure seamless connectivity with the expressway.
He also inspected Tata Electronics' Semiconductor Fabrication (Fab) project at Dholera and reviewed its production scope, including chips for mobile devices, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.
'He also visited social infrastructure projects — schools, hospitals, and residential complexes — developed by Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL),' the release said.
The release further stated that Mishra chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials from DICDL, Dholera International Airport Company Limited, NHAI, Airports Authority of India, and Indian Railways.
'He reviewed key projects, including Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway, Bhimnath–Dholera Freight Rail Link, Ahmedabad–Dholera Semi-High-Speed Rail Line, Dholera International Airport…He stressed the importance of timely project completion, skilled workforce availability, and robust planning,' the release said.
At Lothal, Mishra inspected the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), an initiative under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW).
'He (Mishra) chaired a review meeting with T Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW and other officials from the Ministry, Gujarat Maritime Board, Archaeological Survey of India, NHAI, and Indian Railways,' the release stated.
'Mishra also reviewed environmental sustainability measures, including local species plantation and water management systems. He highlighted NMHC's unparalleled scale and significance, underscoring the need to curate artifacts that narrate India's maritime legacy from the Harappan civilisation onward,' it added.
Besides, Mishra inspected Phase I-A construction, including six galleries, and directed its completion by August 2025, the release further said.
