Cruising Past the Crowd: Modi’s Rs 34,200 Crore March in Bhavnagar

Image Source: The Hawk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Gujarat with a vibrant roadshow and a sweeping announcement of development projects worth over Rs 34,200 crore. The visit, themed around Samudra Se Samriddhi, focused on strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure, renewable energy, and regional connectivity.

Cultural resonance and crowd energy

- The roadshow began at Bhavnagar Airport and ended at Gandhi Maidan, covering a one-kilometre stretch
- Thousands of citizens lined the streets, showering flowers and waving flags
- Cultural troupes performed along the route, adding festive flair
- Banners celebrating Operation Sindoor and posters thanking Modi for GST reforms were prominently displayed

Maritime sector gets a mega boost

- Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for maritime projects worth Rs 7,870 crore
- Key projects included:
- Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock
- New container terminal at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
- Cargo handling upgrades at Paradip Port
- Tuna Tekra Multi-Cargo Terminal
- Firefighting and road connectivity enhancements at Kamarajar Port, Ennore
- Coastal protection works at Chennai Port and Car Nicobar Island
- Ship repair facilities at Patna and Varanasi
- Multi-purpose cargo berth and Green Bio-Methanol Plant at Deendayal Port, Kandla

Gujarat’s infrastructure transformation

- Over Rs 26,354 crore worth of projects were launched in Gujarat
- Highlights included:
- HPLNG Regasification Terminal at Chhara Port
- Acrylics and Oxo Alcohol Project at Gujarat IOCL Refinery
- 600 MW Green Shoe Initiative
- PM-KUSUM 475 MW solar feeder for farmers
- 45 MW Badeli Solar PV Project
- Full solarisation of Dhordo village
- Healthcare upgrades:
- Expansion of Sir T. General Hospital in Bhavnagar
- Infrastructure boost at Guru Govind Sinh Government Hospital in Jamnagar
- Transport and connectivity:
- Four-laning of 70 km of national highways
- Urban transport enhancements across key districts

Maritime heritage and industrial vision

- Modi reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, a Rs 4,500 crore project
- The complex aims to showcase India’s ancient seafaring history and serve as a global tourist and educational hub
- He also conducted an aerial inspection of the Dholera Special Investment Region, envisioned as a futuristic industrial and urban zone

Modi’s message: self-reliance as national duty

- Modi emphasized the need to defeat India’s dependence on foreign nations
- He called for Atmanirbharta as the cornerstone of India’s future
- He reiterated that India’s global stature must be matched by domestic strength and innovation

Political and emotional undertones

- The visit coincided with Modi’s birthday week, and he acknowledged the outpouring of wishes
- Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel felicitated the Prime Minister during the event
- The atmosphere in Bhavnagar reflected both celebration and strategic vision

Closing note

Modi’s Bhavnagar visit was more than a ceremonial roadshow. It was a declaration of India’s intent to lead through infrastructure, sustainability, and heritage. With Rs 34,200 crore worth of projects spanning ports, hospitals, highways, and solar villages, the event stitched together a narrative of progress rooted in pride and purpose.

Sources: Economic Times, Deccan Chronicle, ETV Bharat, MSN India