Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, inaugurated several key infrastructure projects worth ₹11.66 crore over a two-day visit to the region. His tour, focused on improving healthcare and education facilities, included visits to several villages adopted under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).
Dr. Jaishankar’s journey began in Vyadhar village in Tilakwada taluka, where he was warmly received by District Collector S.K. Modi. The Minister then visited Agar, Amdala, and Jetpur (Vagh) villages in Garudeshwar taluka, inaugurating a range of development projects. These included a Health and Wellness Center, an ambulance, a well-equipped smart Anganwadi center, smart classrooms in primary schools, and a computer lab. He also flagged off a transport vehicle for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Kevadiya Colony.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremonies, Dr. Jaishankar noted that, as a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, he had been consistently visiting Narmada district for over six years. “The infrastructure projects initiated under MPLADS are not just about building assets; they are meant to create meaningful opportunities for the people, especially the younger generation,” he said. He emphasized the importance of utilizing these facilities effectively, particularly to ensure that children benefited from the new smart classrooms and technological advancements.
The Foreign Minister also visited Vyadhar’s Amrit Sarovar, where he laid the foundation stone for the LDR building in Agar. He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving health, education, and skills as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “Developed India by 2047.”
In addition to the inaugurations, Dr. Jaishankar took time to review ongoing projects in the region. These included the 71-acre hospitality development in Garudeshwar and the tribal museum project near Khadgada. He also examined the newly constructed smart bus stand aimed at boosting tourism around the Statue of Unity. Dr. Jaishankar visited the Miyawaki Forest in Ekta Nagar, highlighting environmental conservation efforts, and later inspected the progress of a hotel project by the Tata Group near Vagadia village.
His visit also included a stop at the Statue of Unity, where he engaged with tourists and praised the monument’s impact on regional development. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of various tourism-related initiatives and facilities in the area.
During his two-day visit, Dr. Jaishankar inaugurated development works at multiple locations, including a newly expanded gymnasium hall in Rajpipla and a smart Anganwadi center in Lachhras village. The latter was built at a cost of ₹16 lakh under MPLADS. He also inaugurated a school building worth ₹4.96 lakh in Lachhras village, which he had personally adopted.
Accompanying Dr. Jaishankar were Joint Secretary Sandeep Bayyappu, senior officials Ravi Arora and Vinay Bhusari, Narmada District Panchayat President Bhimsingh Tadvi, Chhota Udepur MP Jasubhai Rathwa, Nandod MLA Dr. Darshanaben Deshmukh, District Collector S.K. Modi, and other local dignitaries.
