The Prime Minister has termed Kevadiya in Gujarat as a good example of planned development of economy and ecology

Comparing the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya in Gujarat with the US-based Statue of Liberty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the former attracts more tourists than the latter.

“More than 50 lakh visitor have come to see the Statue of Unity after it was dedicated to the nation and it is catching on after staying closed during the Corona months. It is estimated, as the connectivity improves, about one lakh visitors per day are expected in Kevadiya,” Prime Minister Modi said, after flagging off eight trains connecting different regions of the country to Kevadiya in Gujarat and inaugurating several railways related projects in the state, via video conferencing.

He termed Kevadiya as a good example of planned development of economy and ecology while protecting the environment.

Recalling when Kevadia was chosen as a place for the Statue of Unity, the Prime Minister said: “It used to appear like a pipedream when, initially, Kevadiya was proposed as a major tourist destination. Given the old way of working, this scepticism had a logic as there was no connectivity of roads, nor street lighting, rail, or tourist accommodation.”

“Now Kevadiya has transformed into a complete family package with all amenities. Attractions here include, the Grand Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar, vast Sardar Patel Zoological Park, Arogya Van, Jungle Safari and Poshan Park,” the Prime Minister said.

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 handicrafts items in the Ekta Mall. He also mentioned that about 200 rooms are being developed for ‘Home Stay’ in the Adivasi villages

The Prime Minister also talked about the Kevadiya Station which has been developed with growing tourism in mind. It has a Tribal Art Gallery and Viewing Gallery from where Statue of Unity can be glimpsed.

The Prime Minister dwelled at length on the transformation of Indian Railways through goal-centric effort. He said that apart from the traditional role of passenger and goods transportation, railways is giving direct connectivity to places of tourism and religious importance. He said many routes including Ahmedabad- Kevadiya Janshatabdi will have attractive ‘Vista-Dome Coaches’