Roads, power and industry get massive boost during PM’s visit

Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated, dedicated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 18,800 crore in South Gujarat, that will impel major road connectivity, power infrastructure and industrial growth across the region.

The projects span the road, power and industrial sectors and include key expressway packages, a high-capacity transmission network and healthcare infrastructure. Among the major initiatives is a transmission project worth Rs 4,546 crore connecting Navsari in Gujarat with Padghe in Maharashtra, which will house the world’s largest digital substation.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of NH-56, a project expected to significantly improve access to the Statue of Unity and boost tourism-linked economic activity.

Packages VI and VII of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway were dedicated during the event. These stretches are aimed at enhancing high-speed travel and improving logistics efficiency.

A key healthcare project inaugurated was the 200-bed ESIC Hospital in Surat. The facility includes a central laboratory, essential ancillary services and round-the-clock emergency and trauma care to ensure timely treatment of occupational injuries and medical emergencies.

Several utility and industrial infrastructure projects were also launched. The Navsari transmission network expansion will enhance power evacuation capacity under the inter-state transmission system, supporting growing industrial and urban demand.

Projects in Valsad and Bharuch districts were also inaugurated. These include modern power distribution upgrades under the Revamped Reforms-Based Distribution Sector Scheme in Valsad, advanced effluent disposal and treatment facilities at the Dahej Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region and Sarigam GIDC, and essential layout utilities at the Jambusar Bulk Drug Park.

Box:

South Gujarat got these

19 projects costing Rs 13,926 crore inaugurated

Foundation stones laid for five projects worth Rs 1,852 crore

Six GIDC projects worth Rs 894 crore inaugurated in Bharuch

Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway Packages VI and VII, costing Rs 7,689 crore, inaugurated

Chemical and bulk drug zone projects worth Rs 1,063 crore inaugurated in Valsad and Bharuch

Transmission network expansion project worth Rs 4,546 crore to include world’s largest digital substation

200-bed ESIC hospital in Surat costing Rs 212 crore

Valsad power distribution infrastructure development project worth Rs 324.19 crore

Box: 1,000-person cycle rally led by Sanghavi

To mark World Environment Day and support the Prime Minister’s call to save fuel, deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi led a cycle rally joined by more than 1,000 Surat citizens and eminent residents. The rally began at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium and concluded at the Indoor Stadium after covering 5km.