New railway station to come up near Statue of Unity site in Gujarat

Railways Ministry will develop a world-class station at Kevadiya near site of Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Narmada district, an official said in Mumbai on Tuesday.

world's tallest statue dedicated to India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October this year.

President Ram Nath Kovind will lay foundation stone for Kevadiya railway station, which will be located at a distance of five kms from imposing structure, on December 15, Western Railway (WR) official told PTI.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will attend event.

" plan to come up with railway station near statue is being implemented by Railway ministry after Prime Minister's Office (PMO) asked it to develop a state-of--art station with a view to increase tourist foot fall and boost local trade", official added.

He said Railway Board has sanctioned work to convert 18-km Dabhoi-Chandod narrow gauge into broad gauge and extension from Chandod to Kevadia Colony by constructing a new 32-km line.

"We are carrying out works on 50-km railway tracks to facilitate this railway station which would cost around Rs 663.29 crore," said official.

READ | Tribute To A Great Unifier: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Can Justly Be Regarded As Maker Of Modern India, Writes PM Modi On Day Of Statue Of Unity's Inauguration

WR spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar said this station will be first railway station in India with a green building certification from its first day of operation.

"This will help in promoting tourism at national and international levels", he said.

"With a budget of Rs 20 crore, this eco-friendly and aestically pleasing station will be decked with local art and culture that will provide direct rail connectivity to world's tallest statue. We plan to complete construction by September 2019," Bhakar said.

He said railway station will boost overall development of region by triggering growth in trade and industries due to broad-gauge connectivity with Mumbai-Delhi main line via Vadodara.

182-meter-tall monument has been built on an islet Sadhu Bet near Sardar Sarovar Dam. It is twice height of Statue of Liberty in US. 

READ | 'Statue Of Unity' Likely To Boost Gujarat Tourism Growth: Official