Ahmedabad: The two-day 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference also known as Speakers' Conference will be held in Kevadia starting Wednesday. Earlier too, Kevadia has hosted similar national-level conferences, including the Conference of Directors General (DGP).
With the world reeling under the coronavirus pandemic, arrangements have been made to ensure that social distancing and all other precautionary steps for the speakers’ conference that will be attended by who's who of the legislative assemblies.
Since the development of Statue of Unity in the memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gujarat's Kevadia has become a major tourist site.
Let us take a close look at the attractions that is Gujarat city has to offer -
Gujarat is full of natural diversity with the dry Rann of Kutch in its northwest and lush green forest of Dangs in the south. An impressive 1,600 km long coastline and Aravali mountain range make it one of the must-visit places for tourists. Yet, Gujarat is known primarily as an industrially developed state.
It can be said in the last several years not much effort was made to develop and promote tourism in the state since developing natural spots for tourism involves big planning and gargantuan expense and management. However, now, Kevadia colony that was a small place which came into existence as a residential colony for people involved in the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river stands out.
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The then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has played a major role in the development of Kevadia colony and its surrounding area. As a model of holistic tourism, Kevadia today finds a place in the global map as an important tourism site in the country.
Narmada Dam: Much has been written about the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Statue of Unity. The dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - the Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world. Situated on Sadhu Bet, five km from the Narmada dam, the work on the Statue had started on October 7, 2010, and was completed in 2018. The task of constructing it was given to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Unity Trust. Initially, the manager of Burj Khalifa Michael Graves Associate and Meanhartha Consortium were supervising the construction work the cost of which was estimated to be around Rs 2,063.
For the steel needed for the statue, Modi had appealed to farmers to donate iron. Within three months, five lakh farmers from six lakh villages had sent in 5,000 metric tonnes of iron. The work on the construction of the statue began on October 31, 2014. The dream project comprises of the Statue of Unity, an amusement park, research centre, convention centre, a butterfly park and other places of attraction. Tourists from across the country and abroad visit the place.
According to an estimate, as many as 35 lakh people had visited the Statue of Unity in the very first year since its inauguration. The project encouraged tourism as well as also provided employment to the people of nearby areas.
Modi who had laid the foundations of the statue also laid the foundation of the administrative buildings of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority, government colony, SRP quarters, and rehabilitation colonies comprising 400 houses for the displaced people of five villages surrounding Kevadia colony during his recent visit.
Kevadia colony is now being illuminated by one billion lights. People who visited the Statue of Unity and the 25 square kilometre area around it during the Diwali were dazzled by the specially designed decorative lights. Besides the increase in the employment opportunity for around 3,000 men and women, the Adivasi areas in the radius of 100 km of the statue are estimated to benefit by Rs 9000 crore between 2020 and 2022.
The road transport linking different corners of the state to Kevadia has been upgraded while the work on the railway line is on. There is also an air link by seaplane which takes just 45 minutes from Ahmedabad to Kevadia colony.
To fully enjoy a visit to Kevadia colony, a tourist must stay there for at least three days for which two tent cities are available.
Jungle Safari (Sardar Patel Zoological Park): In a record speed, Gujarat's jungle safari has been put in place. There is also a state of the art zoological park where there are 1100 species of birds and animals from the country and abroad are housed. There are 29 designated areas for different animals and two world’s largest Geodesic Dome Aviaries where the visitors can watch birds flying freely.
In the jungle safari, a petting zone has been included where children can touch birds and small animals. There are Macau, Cockatoo, Persian cat, rabbits, guinea pig, ponies, sheep, goat, turkey and geese.
Ekta Mall: To give shopping experience to tourists, spread on 35,000 square feet there is the two storeys Ekta Mall. The mall has for sale handloom and handicraft from different states through 200 stalls in the emporium. There are Garvi Gurjari, Purabshri, Kairali, Mrugnaini, Pumpahar, Gangotri, Kaveri, Khadi India, Kashmir and CCI emporiums in the mall.
Children’s nutrition park: There is the world’s first children’s nutrition park run by state of the art technology. This theme-based park is spread over 35,000 square metres. The park has been specially designed to entertain and educate the children with the help of latest technology. There is a mini-train using which the children can travel 600 metres. During the journey, there are stations like Fruit-Vegetable home, Pionagari, Annapurna, Poshanpuram, Swasth Bharatam and Nutri Hut.
The objective is to educate children about nutrition with the help of 47 different technology. To entertain tourists of all ages, there are mirror maze, 5-D theatre and a puzzle maze.
Also read: Sea plane to connect Sabarmati and Statue of Unity arrives
Unity Glow Garden: The Unity Glow Garden is one of its kind in the country that provides thrill and joy to the tourists. Spread over 3.61 acres, the garden has replica of animals, plants and fountains illuminated by coloured LED lights. To visit the garden during the night is an unforgettable experience.
Cactus Garden: Near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, on the left bank of Narmada river is situated cactus garden on 25 acres of land. The garden has 459 varieties of cacti and succulent breeds brought from 17 countries. There are over 6 lakh cacti in the garden. There is an octagonal done of 838 square metres providing information on different kinds of cacti. There is a shop of medicines and herbal products made from cacti. People can also buy cacti from here.
Ekta Nursery: There is a nursery on 10 acres where saplings of a wide variety of plants are displayed for sale. The nursery has the capacity to grow 10 lakh saplings in a year using the latest technology. The Ekta Nursery and Ekta Handicraft is a special attraction for the tourists. Here products from bamboo, betel nut leaves and organic pots are exhibited for sale. Visitors can see how various things are being made by craftsmen from plants. The cafeteria has cuisines prepared by Adivasi women. In the souvenir shop, one can buy soap, honey, saplings etc. Women’s self-help groups from 311 families earn their livelihood from this activity.
Khalvani Eco-Tourism: This is an ideal place for tourists to live close to nature and engage in adventure activities. Khalvani eco-tourism place is spread on 100 acres of which trees have been planted on 82 acres. There is an excellent facility for the stay of 100 persons. There are tree houses and tents. Women’s self-help group runs the cafeteria here. There is a facility for river rafting as well on 4.05 km long stretch with nine rapids.
Arogya Van: A lush forest on 17 acres with emphasis on Yoga and Ayurveda, the Arogya Van houses 380 varieties of five lakh medicinal plants in the forest. There is a lotus pond, garden of colours, Alba garden, Lutya Garden, Aroma Garden, Yoga and Meditation spots, indoor plant section, digital information centre, souvenir shop and a cafeteria. Doctors and experts from Kerala provide nature therapy to tourists at the wellness centre. Tourists feel physical happiness and unity with nature in the Arogya van.
One can also do yoga and pranayama sitting in the forest.
Jetties and Ekta Cruise: Ferry boat service, called Ekta cruise is available for the tourists who come to visit the Statue of Unity to enjoy a boat ride in the Narmada river and soak in the natural beauty of Satpuda and Vindhyanchal mountain range. The Ekta cruise of 40 minutes duration covering a distance of 6 kilometres. The boat has a length of 26 metres and a width of 9 metres and can accommodate 200 passengers. There are two jetties – one each at Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan and Statue of Unity for the Ekta cruise rides.
Garudeshwar Weir: The Garudeshwar weir has been constructed for a reservoir downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam for the running of the reversible turbine for power generation. The Garudeshwar weir is 12.10 downstream of the Narmada dam. The weir’s total length, including 609-metre spillway, is 1218 metre. The weir’s holding capacity is 87.20 million cubic metres. The Garudeshwar weir has the capacity to produce 9 MW of electricity.
New Gora Bridge: A new bridge has been built near Gora village on Narmada river as the low-level causeway was getting submerged due to the Garudeshwar weir. The length of the main part is 920 metre and the approach road is 1.6 km. There are four lanes on the bridge to facilitate free movement of vehicles. Gora bridge is 6.30 km downstream of Sardar Sarovar dam. The bridge links Kevadia colony to Rajpipla.
Government colonies: As many as 112 quarters have been constructed for the residence of employees and engineers of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Corporation. These quarters are for different categories of government employees.
Bus Terminus: A large terminus has been built containing ten sub bus stands for buses plying between different sightseeing locations. Every bus stand is of 20 metre by 8-metre size. The bus stand can accommodate at one time 1500 passengers for which 1200 metre long stainless steel railings have been provided. There are 600 lockers provided for tourists.
Homestay Project: Homestay facilities are being provided where tourists can stay with Adivasi families and get to know about their lifestyle and culture. This will also provide a source of income for the Adivasi family. The homestay project has been introduced in villages around the Statue of Unity.
Adarsh Gaam: A rehabilitation colony comprising houses, primary school, Anganwadi, hospital, community hall, sports ground for children has been set up near Gora village for 400 families who were displaced by the Narmada dam.
