Banaskantha, October 31, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated completed development projects and laid foundation stones for new projects worth more than ₹14,000 crore in Gujarat on October 30. The initiatives include Ahmedabad Metro extensions, an eight-lane highway upgrade, two new railway services and agricultural infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and supporting farmers.
Addressing a gathering in Banaskantha, Modi also said that more than ₹18,000 crore had been transferred to approximately 10 crore farmers across India under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The nationwide payment is separate from Gujarat’s ₹14,000 crore development package.
Among the major transport projects, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones for two Ahmedabad Metro extensions. The proposed airport extension under Phase 2A will cover more than six kilometres and include five stations, while the GIFT City extension under Phase 2B will span more than 3.3 kilometres and have three stations.
The projects are intended to improve public transport connectivity between Ahmedabad, its airport and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Both extensions are planned projects and have not yet entered passenger service.
The development programme also includes widening the Ahmedabad–Mehsana highway from four to eight lanes at an estimated cost of ₹2,600 crore. The expansion is intended to increase road capacity and improve traffic movement along the corridor.
Modi flagged off two railway services: the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)–Varanasi Express and the Mehsana–Becharaji–Sabarmati MEMU train. The services are intended to improve passenger connectivity within Gujarat and between Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
Agricultural infrastructure formed another major component of the programme, with 521 completed projects worth approximately ₹4,950 crore dedicated to the nation. These include cold-storage facilities, warehouses, silos, greenhouses and agricultural processing infrastructure designed to improve the storage, handling and distribution of farm produce.
In the social welfare sector, Modi inaugurated 361 completed Anganwadi centres and laid the foundation stones for another 4,030 centres across Gujarat. The initiative, involving approximately ₹800 crore, is expected to benefit more than four lakh people.
The programme also included the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre at Bhildi in Banaskantha, developed across 127 acres. The facility is intended to support research and breeding programmes involving indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, including Kankrej cattle.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for two Banas Dairy bio-CNG plants at Tharad and Radhanpur. The proposed facilities are designed to process 75 and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day, respectively, converting agricultural and livestock waste into useful products, including cleaner fuel and organic fertiliser.
Modi also announced the approval of 12 horticulture clusters covering crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, grapes, bananas, onions and pomegranates. Two clusters in North Gujarat are expected to support potato growers in Banaskantha and Sabarkantha.
The government’s advance announcement had described the 24th PM-KISAN instalment as amounting to approximately ₹19,000 crore, while Modi stated during the October 30 event that more than ₹18,000 crore had been transferred to around 10 crore farmers.
The development programme combines completed facilities, newly introduced railway services and infrastructure projects that are yet to be completed. The benefits for commuters, farmers and local communities will depend on the implementation and operation of the respective initiatives.
Read also: Dilip Buildcon wins ₹688.23 crore NHAI contract to build 9.66-km elevated road in Solapur, Maharashtra
