Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate a slew of railway projects in Gujarat on Friday. The newly redeveloped Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station, the newly electrified Surendranagar-Pipavav section, and the gauge converted cum electrified Mahesana-Varetha line are among the key projects.
PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for two new trains: the Gandhinagar Capital-Varanasi Superfast Express and the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) service trains between Gandhinagar Capital and Varetha.
The Gandhinagar railway station will now have world-class amenities on par with modern airports, according to a government press release. It is now a disabled-friendly station with a dedicated ticketing counter, ramps, lifts, and parking space. The station's cutting-edge exterior facade will feature daily theme-based lighting and a total of 32 themes. The station will also house a five-star hotel run by a private entity, and the entire structure has been built with green building features in mind. The upgrade came at a cost of Rs. 71 crore.
Surendranagar - Pipavav Section Electrification was completed to relieve congestion in Ahmedabad, Viramgam, and Surendranagar Yards. The project is intended to provide continuous freight movement from Palanpur, Ahmedabad, and other parts of the country to Pipavav Port without requiring any changes in traction. The project was completed at a total cost of 289 crore.
The 55-kilometer Mahesana-Varetha Gauge conversion also includes ten stations with four newly developed station buildings, namely Visnagar, Vadnagar, Kheralu, and Varetha. This was completed at a cost of 293 crore, in addition to the electrification work, which cost 74 crore.
The Prime Minister discussed the projects on Twitter. “I have always wanted our Railway Stations to be of top quality, where apart from travels there is a boost to commerce, hospitality and more. One such effort has been made in Gandhinagar. The upgraded station will be inaugurated tomorrow,” he tweeted.
PM Modi will also dedicate the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery, as well as the Nature Park in Gujarat Science City. "You would love visiting the Nature Park. It houses a Mist Garden, Chess Garden, Selfie Points, Sculpture Park, and an outdoor maze. I specially call upon parents to take their children here,” the prime minister said in a tweet.