The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated various projects worth over ₹7200 crores in Ambaji today. The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of over 45,000 houses built under PM Awas Yojana. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Taranga Hill – Ambaji – Abu Road New Broad Gauge Line and the development of pilgrimage facilities at Ambaji temple under PRASAD scheme. The Prime Minister also dedicated the 62 Km long New Palanpur-New Mahesana section of the Western Freight Dedicated Corridor and the 13 Km long New Palanpur-New Chatodar Section (Palanpur bypass line). The Prime Minister also dedicated various road projects including the widening of Mitha - Tharad - Deesa Road among others.

The Prime Minister handed over keys to seven beneficiaries of various housing schemes and also launched Mukhyamantri Gaumata Poshan Yojana and handed over cheques to gaushalas. The Prime Minister also interacted with some of the housing beneficiaries via video link.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed happiness for getting the opportunity to have darshan of Maa Amba on the fifth day of Navratri.  The Prime Minister remarked that he has come to Ambaji at a time when the country has taken the great resolve of a developed India. “With the blessings of Maa Amba, we will get strength for the fulfilment of all our resolutions”, he added.

The Prime Minister congratulated the 61,000 beneficiaries of housing schemes and noted that a better Diwali awaits them. The Prime Minister dwelled on the culture of respect for women in India. He said “When we talk about respect for women, it comes naturally for us. But when we think about it seriously, we find that how much respect for women is embedded in our sanskar.” He said, unlike in other countries, Shakti -Power is associated with the feminine gender in our culture and there is a tradition of associating the mother’s name with brave warriors. He gave examples of Arjun, Shri Krishna and Hanumanji in this regard. “It is our sanskar”, the Prime Minister remarked that we see our country India as a mother, and consider ourselves to be the children of Mother India. Despite this, the Prime Minister noted that women had only limited rights and say in financial matters. This has been rectified by ensuring that in most of the houses under various housing schemes, houses are either owned or co-owned by the women of the house. More than 3 crores houses have been handed over to poor families in the country.

During this festive season, the Prime Minister pointed out that the central government is spending about ₹4 lakh crore on extending the free ration scheme, which gives relief to more than 80 crore people in the country. Shri Modi said that the scheme has been extended so that the sisters and mothers of poor families do not face any problems in running their kitchens in difficult times. The Prime Minister expressed delight that he got the opportunity to work for the empowerment of our mothers and sisters for the last two decades, and Banaskantha has been a witness to the changing scenario. Recalling his request to the women of the area, the Prime Minister thanked them for respecting his request and noted that the water of Narmada is bringing happiness to the region and girls are attending schools and colleges with great enthusiasm. He also noted their cooperation in the war against malnutrition. The Prime Minister said that, after  2014, every aspect of the lives of the women in India is being taken care of and they are becoming the driver of the development journey of India. Highlighting that the women power of the country is at the centre of every major scheme of the central government, the Prime Minister mentioned the work done in terms of toilets, gas connections, Har Ghar Jal, Jan Dhan accounts, or loans without guarantee under the Mudra scheme. “When mother is happy, family is happy, when family is happy, society is happy and when society is happy, Nation is happy. This is the right kind of development for which we are working relentlessly '' the Prime Minister remarked.

The Prime Minister revealed that the Taranga Hill – Ambaji – Abu Road Line was conceived in 1930 during British rule. The need for this was recognized 100 years ago but unfortunately, this was not done in such a long period. “Perhaps, Maa Amba wished it to be done by me. It is our good fortune that in the year of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are getting this opportunity to dedicate this at the feet of Amba Mata”, the Prime Minister said. He informed that this rail line and the by-pass will free the area of traffic jams and will help the Marble industry as well. A dedicated freight corridor will help the area a great deal, he said. Farmers will benefit as now it is possible that Kisan Rail can start from here, he said. He praised the state government for the development of Gabbar Teerth. 

The Prime Minister said that his aim is to create so many attractions in the vicinity of the temple that people have to make a 2-3 days program to cover them.  The Prime Minister remarked that on one hand, Ambaji is the home of faith and worship while on the other hand, we have India’s borders where our jawans are deployed. The Prime Minister informed that the central government has recently launched a Seema Darshan Project in Suigam taluk. The project strives to educate the people of India about the lifestyle of jawans from Border Security Forces and also provide a similar experience to tourists. The Prime Minister further added that this project will give more power to Rashtriya Ekta (national unity), one of the Panch Pran (five vows) as well as create a positive impact on tourism in the region. Shri Modi also informed that the upcoming runway and other developments in Deesa Air Force Station will strengthen our air force defence in the region. “It will give a much-required boost to the economic activities in the region”, he said.

In concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that the face of Banaskantha has transformed completely in the past two decades with the efforts of the government. The Prime Minister credited the women of Banaskantha for transforming the situation at the ground level. “Narmada's Neer, Sujalam-Sufalam and Drip Irrigation have played a big role in transforming the situation”, he added. Shri Modi pointed out that farmers, women and youngsters will benefit the most from the projects that have been launched today.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashvini Vaishnav, Union Minister of State for Railways Smt. Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Members of Parliament, Shri C R Patil, Shri Prabatbhai Patel, Shri Bharasinh Dhabi and Shri Dineshbhai Anavaidya were those present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated various development projects to the nation worth over ₹7200 crores in Ambaji. The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of over 45,000 houses built under PM Awas Yojana. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Taranga Hill – Ambaji - Abu Road New Broad Gauge Line and the development of pilgrimage facilities at Ambaji temple under PRASAD scheme. The new rail line will benefit lakhs of devotees visiting Ambaji, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and will enrich the worship experience of the devotees at all these pilgrimage places. Other projects whose foundation stone will be laid include the construction of the runway and associated infrastructure at Airforce station, Deesa; Ambaji Bypass Road among others.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the 62 Km long New Palanpur-New Mahesana section of the Western Freight Dedicated Corridor and the 13 Km long New Palanpur-New Chatodar Section (Palanpur bypass line). It will enhance connectivity to Pipavav, Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla), Mundra and other ports of Gujarat. With the opening of these sections, 734 km of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor will become operational. The opening of this stretch will benefit industries in Mehsana-Palanpur in Gujarat; Swaroopganj, Keshavganj, Kishangarh in Rajasthan; Rewari-Manesar and Narnaul in Haryana. The Prime Minister also dedicated various road projects including the widening of Mitha - Tharad - Deesa Road among others.

The inauguration and foundation stone of these wide-ranging developmental projects reflect the commitment of the Prime Minister to develop world-class infrastructure, enhance urban mobility and improve multi-modal connectivity. It also showcases the continuous focus of his government on enhancing the ease of living of the common man.

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