Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Rajasthan’s Banswara on Thursday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of multiple development projects, including the Rs 42,000 crore Mahi-Banswara nuclear plant, officials said. The programme spans energy, infrastructure, water, health, and urban development initiatives across the state.
The proposed 2,800 MW nuclear facility is considered the flagship project of the visit, expected to significantly enhance Rajasthan’s energy self-sufficiency. Other energy projects include a 590 MW renewable energy plant in Bikaner at a cost of Rs 8,500 crore and high-capacity transmission lines of 15.5 GW across Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sirohi, Nagaur, and Bikaner for Rs 13,183 crore.
Water and infrastructure initiatives include fifteen new drinking water supply projects across 11 districts, two new flyovers, a bridge over the Banas river, and 119 roads under the Atal Pragati Path scheme in Bharatpur. Additionally, three new grid substations are being set up in Bikaner and Jaisalmer.
Several completed projects will also be inaugurated, such as solar energy plants totalling 1,400 MW, the 925 MW Nokh Solar Park in Phalodi, and decentralised solar plants of 895 MW under the PM-KUSUM-C scheme. Works at Isarda dam, the Dholpur lift scheme, seven road projects in Barmer, Ajmer, Beawar, Dungarpur, Banswara, Rajsamand, and Udaipur, as well as a water resources project worth Rs 20,833 crore, will also be unveiled.
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Modi is scheduled to flag off Vande Bharat Express trains between Bikaner-Delhi Cantt, Jodhpur-Delhi Cantt, and Udaipur-Chandigarh. Furthermore, 15,000 youths will receive appointment letters under a government employment drive across various departments.
“Overall, development projects worth over Rs 1.22 lakh crore will be either inaugurated or have their foundation stones laid in the programme, out of which Rajasthan alone will receive projects worth Rs 1,08,468 crore,” an official said.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has instructed officials to complete all preparations for the event and will visit Banswara on Wednesday to review arrangements. BJP state president Madan Rathore visited households in Banswara, distributing “yellow rice” as a traditional invitation for the prime minister.
“This project will not only ensure energy independence for the state but also drive local tourism, employment, and economic growth,” Rathore said, taking a swipe at the previous Congress-led government for misgovernance. He added that former chief minister Ashok Gehlot prioritised political drama over public service.
Earlier, Gehlot had urged Modi to address the slow progress in the investigation of the 2022 Kanhaiya Lal murder case in Udaipur and demanded national monument status for Mangarh Dham in Banswara during the prime minister’s visit.
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