PM Modi Gujarat Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Gujarat, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 48,000 crore. PM Modi's visit to his home state holds importance as it comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, which will be held in April and May.
Ahead of the project launch, PM Modi attended the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony and performed pooja and darshan at Valinath Mahadev Temple in Gujarat's Tarabh.
"This is a unique period in development of the country, where be it 'Dev kaaj' (work of god) or 'desh kaaj' (work of country) both are happening rapidly..." said PM Modi while addressing the gathering. "On one side 'devalays' are being constructed and on the other side, houses for the poor are also being built in the country," he added.
Training guns on Congress, Modi said, "It is unfortunate that in Independent India, there were tensions and conflicts between development and heritage for a very long time. The only one to blame for this is Congress, which ruled India for decades."
"These are the same people who made the holy shrine of Somnath a topic of controversy. These are the same people who questioned the existence of Lord Ram and tried to create hurdles in the construction of his temple (in Ayodhya)," he added.
In Mahesana, PM Modi dedicated to nation important projects including Bharat Net Phase-II - Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited, which will provide high-speed internet to more than 8000 gram panchayats; multiple projects for rail line doubling, gauge conversion, new broad-gauge line in districts of Mahesana and Banaskantha; multiple road projects in Kheda, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Mahesana; Main academic building of Gujarat Biotechnology University at Gandhinagar; multiple water supply projects in Banaskantha, among others.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. As per the schedule, the Prime Minister reached Mahesana and performed 'pooja' and 'darshan' at the Valinath Mahadev Temple at around 12.45 pm. He participated in a public function in Tarabh, Mahesana
Later in the day, the prime minister will reach Navsari, where he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and initiate work commencement of multiple development projects worth about Rs 17,500 crore at around 4.15 pm. At around 6.15 pm, Modi will visit the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station and dedicate to the nation two new Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).