CM Bhupendra Patel promotes Ekta Nagar Rainforest and Skywalk
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 31 October 2026 promoted a new Rainforest and Skywalk at Ekta Nagar, the tourism hub anchored by the Statue of Unity, calling them symbols of PM Modi's eco-tourism vision for Kevadia.
Key Takeaways
CM Bhupendra Patel promoted new Rainforest and Skywalk attractions at Ekta Nagar on 31 October 2026 .
Ekta Nagar , formerly Kevadia, in Narmada district, Gujarat , is the site of the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity .
The Statue of Unity was dedicated by PM Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 , exactly eight years before this post.
Gujarat has steadily layered eco-tourism facilities — safaris, gardens, boat rides, and now a Rainforest and Skywalk — around the statue complex.
The region's tourism expansion is intended to drive economic growth in Narmada district , one of Gujarat's less industrialised areas.
Tourist arrival data in coming quarters will indicate the real impact of the new attractions.
A new chapter in Gujarat's eco-tourism story is unfolding at Ekta Nagar — and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel wants every traveller in India to know about it. On Saturday, 31 October 2026, the Chief Minister took to X to spotlight two fresh attractions at the sprawling tourism complex near the Statue of Unity in Narmada district: a Rainforest experience and a Skywalk that he described as 'breathtaking'.
Posting four images from the site, CM Patel wrote: 'A wonderful new attraction in Ekta Nagar, beautifully capturing the spirit of eco-tourism! Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji's vision has made Kevadia a global marvel. Do visit the Rainforest and experience the breathtaking Skywalk!' The post frames the additions as a direct extension of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's original vision for the region.
From Kevadia to Ekta Nagar: a tourism cluster eight years in the making
The journey began on 31 October 2018 — exactly eight years before this post — when PM Modi dedicated the Statue of Unity to the nation. At 182 metres, the tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remains the world's tallest statue, and it instantly transformed the sleepy Kevadia colony into one of India's most-visited destinations. The locale was subsequently renamed Ekta Nagar, or 'City of Unity', signalling ambitions that stretched far beyond a single monument.
Gujarat's strategy has been deliberate: layer attraction upon attraction to extend average visitor stay and widen the audience. Jungle safaris, a cactus garden, a butterfly garden, a tent city, and boat rides on the Narmada river have been added in successive phases, all anchored by central and state government investment. The Rainforest and Skywalk represent the latest additions to that growing portfolio.
Eco-tourism as a model — and the stakes for Narmada district
The push carries real economic weight for Narmada district, one of Gujarat's less industrialised regions. Tourism revenue feeds local hospitality, transport, and craft businesses, and state planners have positioned Ekta Nagar as a template for responsible, nature-integrated development. A Skywalk — typically an elevated walkway offering canopy or river views — and a themed Rainforest enclosure align with that nature-first pitch, drawing visitors who might not have come for the statue alone.
Tourist footfall figures for the complex in coming quarters will be the clearest measure of whether these additions accelerate growth or merely consolidate existing numbers. Connectivity upgrades and any further eco-tourism announcements from the state government are the next signals to watch.
Eight years after one iron man's statue put this corner of Gujarat on the global map, Ekta Nagar is still building — and it is not done yet.
Point of View
Timed precisely on the eighth anniversary of the Statue of Unity's dedication, is a deliberate act of political branding — linking the new eco-tourism additions to PM Modi's founding vision reinforces the BJP's ownership of the Ekta Nagar narrative ahead of any upcoming electoral cycle. Gujarat's incremental layering of attractions reflects a broader national strategy of turning landmark infrastructure into sustained tourism economies rather than one-time spectacles. The Rainforest and Skywalk, if they deliver on the 'breathtaking' promise, could meaningfully diversify Ekta Nagar's visitor profile toward nature-seekers and families. The real test will be whether footfall data and local livelihood indicators in Narmada district match the promotional energy.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new attractions at Ekta Nagar in 2026?
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has highlighted a Rainforest experience and a Skywalk as the latest eco-tourism additions at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district, Gujarat.
Where is Ekta Nagar located?
Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is located in Narmada district, Gujarat, and is home to the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue.
When was the Statue of Unity inaugurated?
The Statue of Unity was dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, and at 182 metres it remains the world's tallest statue.
What is the Skywalk at Ekta Nagar?
CM Bhupendra Patel described the Skywalk as a 'breathtaking' new attraction at Ekta Nagar; it is an elevated walkway that forms part of the site's expanding eco-tourism infrastructure.
How has Gujarat developed tourism around the Statue of Unity?
Gujarat has progressively added eco-tourism facilities including jungle safaris, gardens, river boat rides, a tent city, and now a Rainforest and Skywalk, building Ekta Nagar into an integrated tourism destination.
