Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Madhya Pradesh on Saturday (August 12), ahead of the state's forthcoming elections. He will lay the groundwork for a Rs 100-crore temple dedicated to the 14th-century mystic poet and social reformer Sant Ravidas in the Sagar district. According to a statement issued by his office today, PM Modi will also unveil significant infrastructure projects during his visit, including the inauguration of a new railway line, in a bid to bolster connectivity and foster development.
As per the statement, among the key highlights of the visit is the dedication to the completed doubling of the Bina-Kota rail route to the nation. The unveiling of the additional railway line in Sagar holds promise for streamlining coal transportation, a vital component of the region's economic activities.
The initiative was initially announced in 2012, with substantial progress made since 2019. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) spearheaded the meticulous execution of this project, which ultimately reached completion in January 2023. The railway line, equipped with a maximum sectional speed of 110 kmph, traverses the Kota and Baran districts in Rajasthan, as well as Guna, Ashoknagar, and Sagar districts in Madhya Pradesh.
"The project, which has been built at an estimated cost of more than Rs. 2475 crores, passes through Kota and Baran District in Rajasthan, and Guna, Ashoknagar and Sagar District in Madhya Pradesh. The additional rail line will increase capacity for better mobility and will help improve train speed along the route," the statement said.
With 37 stations, including 28 major and 202 minor bridges, the project has significantly enhanced the local infrastructure. The development efforts extended to railway stations along the route, fostering improved passenger experiences and contributing to increased passenger traffic.
PM Modi's Schedule For The Day:
- PM Modi is expected to arrive in Khajuraho from New Delhi, according to a PTI report. He will then take a helicopter to the Badtuma area of Sagar district, arriving around 2:15 pm. He will also perform Bhoomi Poojan at Sant Shiromani Gurudev Shri Ravidas ji Memorial Sthal.
- At around 3:15 pm, he will lay the foundation stone for a Rs 100-crore temple dedicated to Sant Ravidas, a 14th-century mystic poet and social reformer, in Sagar district, according to the PMO statement.
- Following the temple ceremony, PM Modi will address a public meeting near the Dhana airstrip, situated about 20km from the temple site.
- The temple foundation stone laying and the public meeting will mark the culmination of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's ongoing 'Samrasta Yatras.'
The BJP has organised yatras to reach out to various segments of society, particularly Dalits. MP has 35 assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes out of a total of 230, with the BJP winning 18 and the Congress winning 17.
The saffron party is attempting to broaden its support among Dalits. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government built a Rs 3.5-crore Sant Ravidas Temple in Maihar, Satna district, some time ago.
Dalit followers of Sant Ravidas, one of the most renowned figures of the bhakti movement in mediaeval India, constitute the majority of the state's SC population.
The BJP performed well in the 2018 elections in the impoverished Bundelkhand region, which includes six districts (Sagar, Chattarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Damoh, and Panna) and 26 assembly seats.
The BJP won 15 seats in Bundelkhand in the last assembly elections, while the Congress had to contend with 9. The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party each received one seat. In the eight-seat Sagar district, the BJP won six and the Congress two seats in 2018.
Following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to the region, the former UPA government announced an economic package worth Rs 8,000 crore for Bundelkhand, which is part of Uttar Pradesh.