Gandhinagar: In a major push for rural development, Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, inaugurated and laid the foundation for 1,999 development projects worth ₹72 crore in Talod’s Navalpur Village on Wednesday.
The CM also inaugurated the new Navalpura Gram Panchayat building and unveiled a statue of Sardar Patel at the village’s Amrit Sarovar.
Gujarat Government Committed to Holistic Development
Speaking on the occasion, CM Bhupendra Patel highlighted that the state government has sufficient funds to ensure citizens receive modern facilities. He urged officials and residents to treat government projects as their own to ensure quality construction and long-term sustainability.
The CM praised Navalpur as a model for rural development, noting that the village’s leadership is entirely women-led, showcasing women empowerment in action.
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Navalpur: A Model for Sustainable and Modern Rural Development
Navalpur has successfully implemented the “Samras Village” concept, achieving 100% solar power usage and modern water metering systems. These initiatives have made it a role model for rural development nationwide, combining sustainability with modern amenities.
Science and Education Initiatives in Sabarkantha
CM Patel also inaugurated an 8-crore state-of-the-art Science Park highlighting the Tropic of Cancer, located in Sabarkantha district. Spread over 1.5 acres, the park includes a Tropic of Cancer Tower, sundial, and an infographic exhibition hall, aimed at promoting scientific awareness among children.
The CM also credited the “Namo Saraswati Science Sadhana Scheme” for increasing student enrollment in the science stream by 19%, reflecting the state’s commitment to quality education.
Health and Social Welfare Achievements
Highlighting the state’s focus on health, CM Patel appreciated initiatives such as:
- “Lalan-Palan” program for underweight pregnant women
- Efforts to control Type-1 diabetes among children
These initiatives have been recognized with the prestigious SKOCH Award, bringing pride to Sabarkantha district.
Government Officials Praise Navalpur’s Achievements
Education Minister Dr. Pradyumn Vaja lauded Navalpur as a “Samras, Clean, and Solar Village”, noting that the village fulfills Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sustainable development. The minister described the science park as a live learning center for the next generation, while also highlighting the construction of 26 new classrooms at a cost of ₹5.18 crore.
District Panchayat President Bharti Patel emphasized the role of active citizen participation and strong government support, stating that Navalpur is a perfect example of collaboration leading to development.
Local Leaders Highlight Women Empowerment and Infrastructure
MLA Gajendrasingh Parmar noted Navalpur as a benchmark for women empowerment, citing initiatives like cow dung banks and 100% solar energy adoption. He also thanked the CM for resolving the long-pending Talod bus depot issue and appreciated systematic planning for village cleanliness.
MLA VD Zala praised Gujarat’s government for continuous farmer-centric development grants since 2001 and highlighted the Sujalam Sufalam irrigation scheme, which has made Sabarkantha greener and more sustainable.
Details of Development Projects
The inauguration and foundation laying included a total of 1,999 projects, including:
- ₹13.90 crore worth of Transport Department projects
- ₹36.67 crore worth of General Administration Department projects
These projects are part of Gujarat’s ongoing commitment to comprehensive rural development and sustainable infrastructure.
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