Even as eight trains connecting the rest of the country to the world’s tallest state—Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat—were virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, he emerged as a brand ambassador for one of the most sought after tourist destinations of India.
The 182-metre tall statue was Modi’s brainchild during his tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat, and it was thrown open for the public by him as the prime minister about two years ago. The opening of the statue has been followed by several tourist attractions in the area.
Modi said that the magnificence of the SoU and the Sardar Sarovar dam can be felt by only being there. Listing the attractions at the place, he said it has a zoological park, jungle safari, health garden, nutrition park, glow garden, cactus garden, butterfly park, Ekta Cruise and river rafting facilities.
“It is a complete family tourist destination,” he said, adding that before the work started in the area, many had apprehensions that it would take years together to come up with such facilities. Without mentioning the UPA, Modi said probably going by the speed at which things were done in the past it would have taken years.
He also mentioned about good road network, internet connectivity and facilities of hospitals in and around the area.
Modi said that the connectivity would change the lives of tribals living in Kevadia and also give an opportunity to sell their products. Some of the locals have already become managers, café owners and guides, he remarked.
Quoting an unmade survey, he said as the connectivity increases there is an estimate that one lakh people would daily visit SoU. The prime minister also mentioned about the sea plane service introduced between Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati River Front and Kevadia a couple of months ago. Modi said that it is probably for the first time in the history of Indian Railways that eight trains were being flagged off for one destination.
Talking about a train originating from Chennai, the prime minister did not lose the opportunity to mention about the birth anniversary of former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran. MGR, the PM said, ruled the hearts of people whether it was silver screen or political screen. Modi said MGR’s life was dedicated for the poor so that they lead a dignified life. “Today we making efforts to complete his task,” he added.
He also took a dig at the previous governments, albeit without naming them, as he said that not a single kilometre of rail track was added and efforts were made to upkeep the existing tracks. In today’s times, he said, new technology is being used and in months to come work on 11,000 kilometres of track will be done.
Modi flagged off trains from Chennai, Rewa, Ahmedabad, Varanasi and Nizamuddin among other places to Kevadia. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was present at Kevadia for the inauguration and his deputy Nitin Patel was present at Ahmedabad Railway station.
