BANASKANTHA, GUJARAT | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched and dedicated development initiatives worth more than ₹14,400 crore in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, marking a major infrastructure and agricultural development programme during his two-day visit to the state. He also released the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), amounting to approximately ₹19,000 crore for eligible farmers across the country.

The programme covers multiple sectors, including agriculture, animal husbandry, railway connectivity, urban transport, road infrastructure and child welfare. The Prime Minister’s visit is also linked to the upcoming Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31, commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Major Infrastructure and Development Projects

A significant component of the programme involves the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) at Bhildi in Banaskantha. Spread across 127 acres, the facility is designed to strengthen cattle breeding, genetic improvement and advanced reproductive technologies. It is dedicated to the Kankrej cattle breed and is expected to support scientific development of indigenous bovine breeds.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for two Bio-CNG plants associated with Banas Dairy at Tharad and Radhanpur. The facilities are designed to process 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day, respectively.

Ahmedabad Metro Expansion and Road Connectivity

Urban transport infrastructure is another major focus of the development programme. The foundation stones were laid for two extensions of the Ahmedabad Metro network:

• Phase 2A – Airport Extension: More than 6 km, covering five stations between Koteshwar Road and the Airport.
• Phase 2B – GIFT City Extension: More than 3.3 km, covering three stations between GIFT City and Shahpur.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for upgrading Ahmedabad–Mehsana State Highway-41 from four lanes to eight lanes. The project carries an estimated investment of approximately ₹2,600 crore.

Agriculture Infrastructure and Farmers’ Support

The 24th instalment of PM-KISAN, amounting to approximately ₹19,000 crore, was released for eligible beneficiary farmers.

The programme also includes 521 completed projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, with a combined project cost of approximately ₹4,950 crore. These projects cover cold storage facilities, warehouses, silos, greenhouses, polyhouses and agricultural processing infrastructure.

Child Welfare and Dairy Processing

The Gujarat programme also includes the foundation stone for 4,030 new child-friendly Anganwadi Centres and the inauguration of 361 completed centres. The initiative involves an investment of approximately ₹800 crore and is expected to benefit more than four lakh people.

Two New Train Services to Strengthen Connectivity

During the visit, the Prime Minister also flagged off two railway services:

• Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)–Varanasi Express.
• Mehsana–Becharaji–Sabarmati MEMU service.

Bharat Parv 2026 and Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

Following the Banaskantha programme, the Prime Minister travelled to Ekta Nagar in the Kevadia region to participate in cultural and national programmes. He inaugurated Bharat Parv 2026, showcasing India’s diverse regional traditions, art and heritage.

On October 31, Modi is scheduled to pay floral tribute at the Statue of Unity and participate in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations commemorating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary.

Development Programme: Key Figures

Broader Economic Significance

The development programme brings together infrastructure expansion, agricultural investment, rural welfare and clean-energy initiatives. The Bio-CNG plants highlight the potential of converting livestock waste into energy, while investments in agricultural storage and processing infrastructure aim to improve post-harvest management.

The Ahmedabad Metro extensions and highway expansion are intended to improve regional mobility and connectivity. The impact of these investments will ultimately depend on project implementation, completion timelines and their utilisation by the intended beneficiaries.