PM Modi Launches Development Projects Worth Over ₹14,000 Crore in Banaskantha, Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for, inaugurated and dedicated a series of development initiatives worth over Rs 14,000 crore across several sectors including agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, renewables, railways, urban transport, and social welfare in Gujarat’s Banaskantha on 30 October 2026. This included several key announcements aimed at supporting farmers including the latest instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This highlights the importance of agriculture, dairy cooperatives and infrastructure in the state’s rural areas.

Key Development Initiatives Worth Over ₹14,000 Crore

During his visit to Banaskantha, the Prime Minister announced a series of new initiatives aimed at boosting the agricultural sector in the state.

This includes new facilities such as,

Livestock research centre, Bio-CNG plant, fruit and vegetable growing centre, new rail services, metro expansion and new modern Anganwadis.

Sector	Key Announcements
Agriculture	12 horticulture clusters approved
Animal Husbandry	Livestock research centre for the indigenous animals
Renewables	Foundation stones laid for two Bio-CNG Plants
Railways	Two new rail services flagged off
Urban Transport	Metro connectivity to GIFT City and Airport
Roads	Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway will now have 8 lanes
Child Welfare	Over 4,000 new modern Anganwadis inaugurated

12 Horticulture Clusters Approved

The government has approved 12 clusters as part of the cluster development scheme to help fruit and vegetable growers.

Crops include,

Tomato
Potato
Chilli
Grapes
Banana
Onion
Orange
Pomegranate
Cocoa

The scheme will support the creation of new fruit and vegetable orchards.

Two clusters will be set up in North Gujarat that will help potato farmers in Banaskantha and Sabarkantha.

Transport and Connectivity Schemes

A series of transport schemes were inaugurated including,

Ahmedabad to Varanasi Sabarmati Express (new rail service)
Mehsana to Becharaji to Sabarmati MEMU (new rail service)
Ahmedabad Metro (foundation stone laid for metro connectivity to GIFT City and Airport)
Ahmedabad-Mehsana Highway (expanding to 8 lanes)

This will help improve passenger connectivity and boost regional economic activity.

Over 4,000 New Modern Anganwadis Inaugurated

The Prime Minister inaugurated over 4,000 new modern anganwadis.

These are expected to help around 4 lakh children and pregnant women.

Anganwadi Centres are provided through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. These are now provided through a wider Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.

They provide additional nutrition, pre-school education, education about health and nutrition, and help with immunisation.