Gujarat Chief Minister at Bhavnagar on eve of state-level Republic Day function
Narendra Modi lays stone for Rs. 296-cr Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro service across Gulf of Cambay
Four-lane Bhavnagar-Bagodara Highway and 500 MW lignite-based power plant at Ghogha to be completed on time
The vessel can ferry up to 1,000 passengers, besides 100 vehicles and containers, to cover 22 nautical miles (31-km). Distance between two through land route is 360 km.
Mr. Modi, who arrived at Bhavnagar a day ahead of the state-level Republic Day function being held on Thursday, announced a slew of projects for the region. They include converting Bhavnagar-Bagodara Highway into four-lane at a cost of Rs.1,020-crore and setting up lignite-based 500 MW power plant in Ghogha taluka at a cost of Rs.3,750-crore. The lignite mining is being taken up by Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC).
Speaking on the occasion, he said that he has been hearing about the feasibility of Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service on sea-route since his childhood for the last 40-45 years, which now would come true soon. He said the feasibility of starting similar ferry service between Pipavav-Hazira and Mundra-Mandvi up to Mumbai-Goa and even Dubai would be studied.
After the completion Kalpsar dam-cum-tidal power project across the Gulf of Cambay, he said that Bhavnagar would be nearer still to Mumbai. He said that Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is proposed to be bigger than Shanghai. These projects would entail faster development of Saurashtra and particularly the Bhal region, combining the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Minster of State Parsottam Solanki said the shipbuilding industry around Bhavnagar is on the anvil as well as developing the fishery industry along the state’s long coast.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Minister of State for Energy and District Guardian Minister Saurabh Patel, MP Rajendrasinh Rana, MLAs Vibhavariben Dave and Mahendrasinh Sarvaiya, Bhavnagar Area Development Board Chairman Amoh Shah, Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board Chairman Mahendrabhai Trivedi, BJP State Secretary Jeetu Vaghani, former mayor Mehul Vadodaria, Additional Chief Secretary (Ports) B. K. Sinha, Gujarat Maritime Board Vice-Chairman and CEO Pankaj Kumar, Essar Project President and CEO Alwyn Bowden and other officials,.
As part of the state-level Republic Day function being held in Bhavnagar this year, the Chief Minister flagged off six rallies. They were for ‘Anti-Malnutrition’, Swami Vivekanand’s 150th birth anniversary year-long celebration, 150th birth anniversary of Sir Prajashankar Pattani, 100th birth anniversary of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji, 101st birth anniversaries of Prahlad Parekh and Krishnalal Shridharani.
Nearly 40,000 people, including students, NCC cadets, ICDS employees, Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha took part in the rallies, which concluded at University Ground, Muktalakshmi High School, Neelambag Circle, Motibag Maidan, A.V. School Maidan and Bhavnagar University.
January 25, 2012
