PM Modi showcases Rain Forest at Ekta Nagar, launches ₹426 crore tourism push
Synopsis
On Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary, PM Modi unveiled a 47,000-sq-metre Rain Forest with a 220-metre glass skywalk at Ekta Nagar — and launched 31 tourism and infrastructure projects worth ₹426.71 crore, signalling a major push to turn the Statue of Unity from a single monument into a full-scale tourism destination.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi visited the Rain Forest attraction at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 , as part of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas marking Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary .
The Rain Forest spans approximately 47,000 square metres and features a 220-metre glass-deck skywalk with views of the Statue of Unity .
Plant species from the Western Ghats , Himalayas , and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are housed within the attraction, developed at a cost of ₹14.30 crore .
Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 31 projects worth ₹426.71 crore , including an IRCTC hotel , Ekta Cruise , and Gora-Bhanadra Road (₹118.88 crore).
The Vaman Vriksha Vatika was also inaugurated alongside the Rain Forest during the same programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2026 visited the newly inaugurated Rain Forest attraction at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, describing its glass skywalk as a 'special feature' that offers visitors a sweeping view of the Statue of Unity. The visit formed part of his programme marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed nationally as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
What Modi Said
In a post on social media platform X after touring the attraction, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'A wonderful experience awaits you at the Rainforest in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia! Immerse yourself in the beauty of lush greenery and nature. The Skywalk is a special attraction, offering a unique experience. Enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic 'Statue of Unity'.' He also visited the Vaman Vriksha Vatika during the same programme.
Key Features of the Rain Forest
Spread across approximately 47,000 square metres, the Rain Forest facility includes a glass-deck skywalk roughly 220 metres long designed to give visitors an elevated view of the forest canopy and surrounding landscape. The attraction brings together evergreen plant species from multiple ecological zones of India, including the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Additional features include an artificial waterfall, a circular pond, connecting bridges, landscaped walking trails, an information centre with interactive displays on rainforest ecology and biodiversity, and a dedicated children's activity area. The Rain Forest was developed at a cost of ₹14.30 crore and was included in a broader package of 23 completed works worth ₹307.83 crore inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Saturday.
Wider ₹426 Crore Tourism and Infrastructure Package
Beyond the Rain Forest, Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects worth ₹426.71 crore in and around Ekta Nagar. The package includes an IRCTC hotel, an Ekta Cruise, an Eco Trail, sewage and water treatment facilities, and improved visitor amenities. Eight foundation-stone projects under the remaining outlay include the Gora-Bhanadra Road worth ₹118.88 crore, a smart zero-waste integrated solid waste management project, Khalwani Eco-Tourism, and an integrated Cactus and Butterfly Garden.
Earlier in the day, Modi paid floral tributes to Patel at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, built in the former deputy prime minister's memory — before proceeding to the inaugurations.
Context and Significance
The new nature-oriented attractions form part of a sustained effort by the Gujarat government to diversify the tourism ecosystem around the Statue of Unity, which has drawn millions of visitors since its 2018 inauguration. The Rain Forest and Vaman Vriksha Vatika add ecological and educational dimensions to what has largely been an architectural tourism draw. Notably, this is the latest in a series of anniversary-day announcements at Ekta Nagar, reinforcing the site's positioning as a national landmark beyond a single monument.
Point of View
Not just a single photograph. The Rain Forest's ₹14.30 crore price tag is modest against the broader package, but its ecological curation — plants from the Western Ghats, Himalayas, and Andaman islands — signals an intent to add educational and conservation credibility alongside spectacle. The pattern of anniversary-day inaugurations at the site, now a near-annual ritual, has become a powerful political-branding mechanism. Whether the infrastructure investments convert into sustained visitor growth and revenue for local communities is the metric that will ultimately matter more than the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rain Forest attraction at Ekta Nagar?
The Rain Forest at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, in Gujarat's Narmada district is a nature-based tourism facility spread across approximately 47,000 square metres, featuring a 220-metre glass-deck skywalk, an artificial waterfall, a circular pond, walking trails, and plant species from three ecological regions of India. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2026 as part of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
What projects did PM Modi inaugurate at Ekta Nagar on 31 October 2026?
PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects worth ₹426.71 crore at Ekta Nagar. Completed works worth ₹307.83 crore include the Rain Forest, an IRCTC hotel, an Ekta Cruise, and an Eco Trail, while upcoming projects include the Gora-Bhanadra Road and a Cactus and Butterfly Garden.
Why did PM Modi visit Ekta Nagar on 31 October?
The visit was part of the national observance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Modi paid floral tributes at the Statue of Unity and used the occasion to inaugurate a major package of tourism and infrastructure projects in the area.
What is the Statue of Unity and why is it significant?
The Statue of Unity, located at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, is the world's tallest statue, built in honour of India's first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It has been a major tourist draw since its inauguration in 2018.
What ecological regions are represented in the Rain Forest at Ekta Nagar?
The Rain Forest brings together evergreen plant species from the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, alongside an information centre with interactive displays on rainforest biodiversity and conservation.
