Gandhinagar: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated several significant development projects for the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and laid the foundation stones for additional initiatives aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure.
During the inauguration, Minister Shah emphasized that Gandhinagar has always been at the forefront of development since the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He highlighted the city’s transformation with the establishment of key projects, including GIFT City, metro connectivity, and educational institutions like the Forensic Science University, Rashtra Raksha University, and Petroleum University. Notably, he pointed out the construction of India’s first 5-star hotel at a railway station, further underscoring Gandhinagar’s rapid urban growth.
Shah urged the residents of Gandhinagar to view the recently inaugurated and upcoming projects not as isolated efforts but as part of a broader urban development policy introduced under Modi’s leadership after 2014. “A holistic approach has been adopted to equip cities with essential amenities, transforming Gandhinagar into a modern city within the Smart City framework,” he stated. He noted that prior to 2014, there were minimal urban development policies or significant projects across the country.
The Home Minister elaborated on the various urban development schemes introduced by Prime Minister Modi, asserting that nearly all municipal corporations across India have embraced e-governance. He mentioned that an Integrated Command and Control Mission Network is expected to be implemented in most municipal corporations in the next five years, significantly advancing the Smart City Mission. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to create pollution-free urban areas by expanding metro networks and introducing electric buses, along with initiatives aimed at reducing vehicular emissions through green energy solutions, including solar energy.
Shah further announced initiatives aimed at enhancing the living conditions for the underprivileged, such as providing ownership rights to flats, replacing slum areas, constructing toilets in every household, and promoting digital transactions through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and PM Vishwakarma Yojana. These initiatives are designed to empower citizens and provide them with greater opportunities.
In his address, Shah stated that the urban development policies implemented in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad prioritize these cities for development projects. He revealed ambitious plans for hosting the Olympic Games in Gandhinagar in 2036, showcasing the city’s rapid development trajectory. Shah affirmed that Gandhinagar has become a hub of education over the past 15 years, thanks to Modi’s vision of transforming the capital of Gujarat into a Smart City.