AHMEDABAD — Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for key development projects worth approximately ₹1,400 crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Monday.
Accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Home Minister detailed civic infrastructure expansions, slum rehabilitation programs, and a nation-wide anti-narcotics campaign set to establish a dedicated control framework by December.
Civic Infrastructure and Slum Rehabilitation Initiatives
The ₹1,400 crore project basket includes municipal and state-level works designed to expand housing, transport, and water management in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency:
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Municipal and State Funding Breakdown: Works valued at approximately ₹1,024 crore were executed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), with an additional ₹400 crore supported through the Gujarat Roads and Buildings Department and the Central Government.
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Slum Rehabilitation at Ramapir No Tekro: Highlighting slum redevelopment initiatives, Shah announced permanent housing projects for residents of Ramapir No Tekro. Once completed, the multi-facility complex will provide structured housing, healthcare, educational, and recreational amenities for over 55,000 citizens.
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Transport and Drainage Projects: Key infrastructure foundation stones included a major pump house in Bopal-Ghuma to eliminate localized waterlogging and the four-kilometer-long ISKCON overbridge project, engineered to convert the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar corridor into a signal-free transit zone.
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Constituency Development: The Home Minister noted that developmental initiatives worth ₹25,000 crore have been completed in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency over the past seven years.
National Anti-Narcotics Strategy and Confidential Reporting Framework
Outlining security and public health priorities, the Home Minister announced a phased target to eliminate illegal narcotics from Gujarat and across the nation:
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Phased Target Timelines: Shah stated that following counter-insurgency progress against Naxalism, the Central Government has targeted a “Drug-Free India” by December 31, 2029. He urged state agencies and citizens to achieve a “Drug-Free Gujarat” by December 31, 2028—one year ahead of the national deadline.
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Confidential 1033 Helpline and Control Room: Announcing a dedicated anti-narcotics control room operational from December 1, 2026, Shah highlighted the confidential ‘1033’ helpline, designed to trigger rapid law enforcement action within three hours of receiving verified tips regarding drug distribution.
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Institutional and De-Addiction Support: Calling on educators and parents to monitor behavioral changes in youth, the Home Minister urged affected individuals to utilize state-established de-addiction centers, assuring complete confidentiality for citizens seeking medical rehabilitation.
Before concluding his address, the Union Home Minister extended greetings to the citizens of Gujarat for Diwali and the upcoming Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas).
