Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on the evening of October 30, where he will attend the Narmada Aarti held at the Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat.
The visit precedes the National Unity Day celebrations on October 31, during which he will visit the Statue of Unity.
According to a press release by the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat has been upgraded by the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SoUADTGA) at a cost of Rs 15.10 crore.
The ghat has been expanded and its facilities modernised, providing visitors with enhanced amenities for the Aarti and religious ceremonies, as well as for organising gatherings of devotees. The comprehensive project includes the expansion of the ghat, improvements to accessibility, riverbank protection, and beautification using red sandstone, murals, and sculptures, offering a more attractive and spiritually enriching experience for devotees and tourists.
Under the key upgrade works, the visitor capacity has been increased from 4,000 to 6,000, with special seating arrangements created for approximately 2,000 people. To expand the stepped ghat along the riverbank and provide more space for group gatherings, the area has been extended by 31 metres × 47 metres upstream and 95 metres × 10.5 metres towards the riverbank. To ensure smooth movement of vehicles and pilgrims, accessibility has been improved with a 190-metre-long, all-weather approach road developed through the Ekta Nursery Gate.
A dedicated area for the regular evening Aarti and spiritual and religious ceremonies has been developed, featuring a well-organised courtyard for gatherings and an open-air amphitheatre-style seating arrangement. Beautification and stonework include red sandstone cladding, carved railings, and durable, anti-slip flooring installed to enhance the site's beauty and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Along the route from the Ekta Nursery Gate to the ghat, murals depicting cultural and spiritual themes have been created. In addition, civil works related to the foundation pedestal required for the monumental statue of Lord Shiva—established in collaboration with BLW and NEZCC—have also been undertaken. For riverbank protection, engineered RCC retaining structures and associated works to regulate and direct the river's flow have been executed to enhance riverbank stability and prevent erosion during monsoon floods, according to the CMO.
The upgrade provides enhanced convenience for pilgrims, safely accommodating more devotees during daily Aarti, religious ceremonies, and major festivals. It also improves vehicular movement along the riverfront, facilitates crowd dispersal, and ensures unobstructed access for pedestrians, alongside improved pilgrimage facilities for prayers, sacred rituals, and holy bathing.
The architectural style featuring natural red sandstone, murals, and distinctive sculptures further enhances the site’s spiritual identity and appeal. In terms of long-term sustainability, the riverbank has been strengthened to prevent erosion while ensuring structural durability against the impact of the river flow. The initiative is aimed at enhancing Ekta Nagar's position as a leading destination for spiritual and cultural tourism, while creating new livelihood opportunities for the residents. (ANI)
PM Modi to attend Narmada Aarti at Ekta Nagar on Oct 30 during Gujarat visit
