Page 35 - NIS English 1-15 July, 2026

Development in Gujarat and Daman | NATION

Development projects gifted
to the nation from Surat
n Inauguration: Dedication of key packages
of the 8-lane access-controlled Vadodara-
Mumbai Expressway to the nation.

n 220-bed ESIC Hospital in Surat.
n Power transmission network expansion
project.
n Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Investment Region.
n Advanced waste disposal facility at
Sarigam GIDC (Gujarat Industrial
Development Corporation).

n Foundation Stone Laying: Widening of
critical sections of National Highway-56 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Larsen & Toubro
to four lanes to improve connectivity to facility at Hazira, Gujarat, where he took account of innovations
tribal areas and the Statue of Unity. being developed by the company across various sectors.

laid during the visit. While the inaugurated projects will Boosting the socio-economic
improve the quality of life for citizens, the projects for development of Lakshadweep
which foundation stones were laid will pave the way for
future progress. Development projects worth ₹18,800 n Foundation stone: Foundation stones laid for
crore in Surat, ₹2,970 crore in Daman, and ₹885 crore in projects worth approximately ₹885 crore.
Lakshadweep were inaugurated or launched. n Port facilities will be developed on the eastern
At an event in Surat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and western sides of both Kalpeni and Kadmat
lauded Gujarat’s contribution to India’s energy self-re- islands.
liance. He noted that the state generates one-fifth (50 n The development of multi-purpose jetties will
GW) of the country’s total renewable energy capacity of facilitate year-round access for large passenger
250 GW. The state is also poised to play a leading role vessels, including cruise ships up to 300 meters
in emerging sectors such as green hydrogen and green in length.
ammonia. Over the past 12 years, there has been signifi- n Integrated facilities will be provided for fish
cant expansion in sectors including solar energy, ethanol management, fuel distribution, ice supply, and
blending, railway electrification, nuclear energy, transmis- boat repair.
sion networks, gas pipelines, and port storage capacities. n This initiative will strengthen maritime
Recent global crises have underscored the critical impor- connectivity, support the livelihoods of local
tance of achieving self-reliance in the energy sector. fishermen, boost tourism, and contribute to the
Reflecting on his visit to Hazira, PM Modi described socio-economic development of the islands.
the region not merely as an industrial zone but as a com-
prehensive, thriving ecosystem encompassing energy,
steel, defense production, and global maritime trade.
He hailed this maritime-industrial hub as a living testa-
ment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. He strongly
criticized those pessimistic factions within the country
that mock the self-reliance campaign. Emphasis is being
placed on modern connectivity to foster self-reliance.
Mega projects such as the Dedicated Freight Corridor,

July 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 33