With slew of infra projects, PM Narendra Modi makes strong push for polls

On the first day of his two-day visit to home state Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a confident note as his told a meeting of Patidars that he will be in Delhi after 2019 as well. He also inaugurated the first phase of the Ahmedabad Metro — 40 km long with 6.5 km under ground — along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Union Minister Hardeep Puri.

In a series of public meetings in Ahmedabad and Jamnagar, the PM also lashed out at the opposition while lauding the various welfare schemes executed by his government. "The foundation is going to be the centre of social revolution in the future. If government of India is required to do anything in this regard, don't worry because I will be there after 2019 also," Modi said while addressing a gathering of Patel community at the foundation stone ceremony of Vishv Umiya Foundation of Jaspur village.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also flagged off the Bandra-Jamnagar Humsafar Express, dedicated the new 750-bed annexe of Guru Gobind Singh Hospital to the nation and inaugurated a 51-km pipeline from Aaji-3 to Khijadia under SAUNI project.

He also laid the foundation stone of a desalination plant at Jodiya that has the capacity to desalinate 10 crore litres of water per day.

In Asarwa, he also inaugurated a 1,200-bed hospital for cancer, dental medicine, ophthalmology and for women and childcare. He inaugurated the Rs 237-crore Patan-Bhildi railway line, as well as remotely laid the foundation of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. The project investment is expected to be Rs 478.90 crore. He also distributed cards for Ayushman Bharat schemes.