The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today dedicated the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation. The occasion was marked by prayers and chanting of hymns at the Dam at Kevadia. The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Later, the Prime Minister visited the construction site of the Statue of Unity, an iconic structure dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, at Sadhu Bet, a short distance from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. He was given an overview of the progress of work at the site.
At a large public meeting in Dabhoi, the Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone of the National Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum. The occasion also marked the closing ceremony of the Narmada Mahotsav, which generated awareness about the River Narmada, in various districts of Gujarat.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the huge gathering shows the respect that people have for Maa Narmada. On the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, he said that he salutes all those who are working to build the nation. Let us leave no stone unturned to build a New India by 2022, the Prime Minister exhorted.
The Prime Minister recalled Sardar Patel's vision of the dam. He said that both Sardar Patel and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar gave a lot of emphasis to irrigation and waterways.
The Prime Minister said lack of water resources has been a major impediment to development. He recalled visiting the border areas in the past, when BSF jawans did not have enough water. We brought Narmada waters to the border areas for the jawans, he said.
The saints and seers of Gujarat have played a very big role in the making of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, he said. The waters of the River Narmada will help citizens and transform lives, he added.
The Prime Minister said that in the western part of the country, there is water shortage, and in the eastern part, there is power and gas shortage. He said the Government is working to overcome these shortages, so that India scales new heights of development.
The Prime Minister said the Statue of Unity would be a fitting tribute to Sardar Patel, and would draw tourists from all over. He recalled freedom fighters from tribal communities, who fought against colonialism.
Let us leave no stone unturned in creating a 'New India' by 2022, when we mark 75 years of India's freedom: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/NGR4hAyPKw
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
Today, on Vishwakarma Jayanti we dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam: PM @narendramodi at the public meeting in Dabhoi pic.twitter.com/UOmKDj4MNr
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
I convey my greetings to everyone on Vishwakarma Jayanti and salute all those working hard to build our nation: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
There is a Jan Sagar here in Dabhoi and this shows the respect people have for Maa Narmada: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
Sardar Patel would be happy today...imagine his vision that he envisioned this Dam to help farmers and citizens: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
We specially remember two people today, Sardar Patel and Dr. Ambedkar, who as Minister gave great emphasis to irrigation & waterways: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
Sardar Sarovar Dam faced so many obstacles. But, we were determined that the project will go on: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
Lack of water resources has been a major factor in slowing the pace of development: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
I still remember, as CM when I went to border areas I saw BSF Jawans do not have water. We brought Narmada waters to borders for Jawans: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
The saints and seers of Gujarat have played a very big role in the making of the Sardar Sarovar Dam as well: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
The waters of Maa Narmada will help several citizens and transform several lives: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
The western part of India lacks adequate water supply, in the eastern part there is shortage of electricity & gas supply: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
We are working to overcome these shortages so that both parts of India development and India scales new heights of development: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
The 'Statue of Unity' will be a fitting tribute to Sardar Patel and will draw tourists from all over: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017
We remember our freedom fighters from the tribal communities who gave a strong fight to colonialism: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2017