On January 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off eight trains connecting different regions of the country with Gujarat's Kevadiya, which is home to the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, via video-conferencing.
The event was graced by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who virtually addressed the event, followed with a speech by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani. Chief Ministers Uddhav Thackeray of Maharashtra, Yogi Aditya Nath of Uttar Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh, and Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi were also virtually present.
With this milestone, the Railway Ministry has provided seamless connectivity to pilgrims, passengers, and tourists alike from different parts of the country visiting the various holy places nestled on the banks of the holy river Narmada as well other places of interest in the vicinity of Statue of Unity.
The 50 km long Dabhoi-Chandod-Kevadiya section has been commissioned by converting the 18 km long Dabhoi-Chandod Narrow Gauge section to Broad Gauge and further extension of new Broad Gauge railway line from Chandod to Kevadiya (32 kms). On the other hand, Pratapnagar-Kevadiya section (80 RKM) has also been electrified as per the Ministry of Railways Mission of 100 per cent Railway Electrification policy.
The station buildings at Dabhoi Jn, Chandod and Kevadiya have been designed aesthetically incorporating local features and modern passenger amenities. Also, Kevadiya station is India's first railway station with a Green Building Certification since the inception of construction.
Modern engineering techniques and equipment such as mobile flash butt welding machines, ready mix concrete (RMC), heavy earth moving equipment, heavy-duty road cranes, and track machines were deployed by the railways to quicken the pace of work.
The new Kevadiya Railway station, which is located approx. 6.5 km away from the 'Statue of Unity', will provide seamless rail connectivity to the world’s tallest statue. Besides, it will also provide connectivity to important religious and ancient pilgrim places nestled on the banks of river Narmada, such as old temples at Karnali, Poicha, and Garudeshwar.
Kevadiya Railway Station, which has been registered with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for being India's first railway station to be certified as Green Building will also have passenger facilities, such as AC waiting rooms and VVIP lounge.
A 12 feet tall replica of the 'Statue of Unity' is installed at the prime location of the Kevadiya railway station circulating area. It is also designed by the same sculptor, Ram V. Sutar, who designed and created the Statute of Unity.
The surrounding area of Kevadiya railway station has vast parking space, landscaping, thematic park, solar light poles, wide traffic way, horticulture plants, thematic park with selfie zone, food courts & children's play area.
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