Prime Minister, Narendra Modi flagged off eight trains connecting different regions of the country to Kevadia in Gujarat on Sunday through video conferencing. These trains will facilitate seamless connectivity to the Statue of Unity.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Dabhoi – Chandod Gauge converted Broad Gauge railway line, Chandod – Kevadiya new Broad Gauge railway line, newly electrified Pratapnagar – Kevadiya section, and the new station buildings of Dabhoi, Chandod, and Kevadiya. Chief Minister of Gujarat and Union Railways Minister were present on the occasion.
For the first time in the history of Railways, trains have been flagged off for the same destinations from different corners of the country.
One of the Kevadiya bound trains is originating from Puruchi Thaliaivar Dr. MG Ramachandran Central Railway Station, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Bharat Ratan MGR on his Birth Anniversary. He praised his accomplishments on the film screens and political platforms. He noted that MGR’s political journey was dedicated to the poor and he worked tirelessly for a dignified life of the downtrodden.
Prime Minister, pointed out the new connectivity between Kevadiya and Chennai, Varanasi, Rewa, Dadar, and Delhi along with MEMU service between Kevadia and Pratapnagar and broad gauging of Dabhoi-Chandod and new Line between Chandod- Kevadia will script a new chapter in the development of Kevadia. This will benefit both the tourists and local adivasis as this will bring new avenues of self-employment and employment. The railway line will provide a connection to the places of faith like Karnali, Poicha, and Garudeshwar on Narmada.
PM asserted that Kevadia is no longer just a small block in some remote area, it has come up as one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. More than 50 lakh visitors have come to see the Statue of Unity after it was dedicated to the nation. It is estimated, as the connectivity improves, about one lakh visitors per day are expected in Kevadia. Kevadia is a good example of planned development of economy and ecology while protecting the environment, said the Prime Minister.
He said that it used to appear like a pipe dream when, initially, Kevadiya was proposed as a major tourist destination. Given the old way of working, this skepticism had a logic as there was no connectivity of roads, nor street lighting, rail, tourist accommodation. Now Kevadiya has transformed into a full package with all amenities. Attractions here include the grand Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar, vast Sardar Patel Zoological Park, Arogya Van, and Jungle Safari, and Poshan Park. It also has Glow Garden, Ekta Cruise, and water sports. The Prime Minister said due to increasing tourism, Adivasi youth is getting employment and local people are getting modern amenities. There are new opportunities for local handicraft items in the Ekta Mall.
He also mentioned that about 200 rooms are being developed for Home Stay in the Adivasi villages. Prime Minister also talked about the Kevadia Station which has been developed with growing tourism in mind. It has a Tribal Art Gallery and Viewing Gallery from where the Statue of Unity can be glimpsed.
He also presented a Dedicated Freight Corridor as an example of a change in approach from earlier times. The Prime Minister dedicated the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors recently. This project was under progress and between 2006-2014 work was done only on papers with not even a single kilometer track laid. Now a total of 1,100 km are about to be completed in the next few days.
PM Modi also pointed out that it is being ensured that railways remain environment -friendly. Kevadia Station is India’s first railway station to start with green building certification. He also stressed the importance of aatmanirbharta in railway-related manufacturing and technology which is yielding good results now. It was due to local manufacturing of high horsepower electric locomotive that India could launch the world’s first double-stacked long haul container train. Today a series of indigenously manufactured modern trains are part of Indian Railways, said the Prime Minister.
Let’s look at some of the features of the Kevadia station welcoming the guests at the historic site:-
1. A 12 feet tall replica of the Statue of Unity is installed at the station circulating area. It is designed by the same sculptor Ram V. Suthar who designed and created the Statue of Unity.
2. Hop On Hop Off Bus service.
3. Executive Lounge, Retiring rooms, AC Waiting rooms, Tourist reception center.
4. Facilities for Divyang and senior citizen passengers like Ramps, low height ticket counters, Divyang friendly drinking water points, and toilets.
5. Electronic train indicators, CCTV cameras, WiFi, GPS enabled clocks, PA System.
6. Thematic park with selfie zone, landscaped gardens, children’s play area, food court, vast parking space.
7. Approx 6.5 kilometers from the Statue of Unity.
8. Green building certified station.
9. Viewing gallery at the station from which tourists can have a panoramic view of the Statue of Unity.
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