Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate Banas Dairy's ₹407.56 crore projects and French Fries plant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate three major infrastructure and research projects for Banas Dairy worth a total of ₹407.56 crore during his two-day official visit to Gujarat on October 30 and 31. These projects will lead to major progress in the cooperative sector, agriculture, and animal husbandry in the Banaskantha district. These important events will be conducted from Bhildi in the Banaskantha district.

The most prominent among these projects is the 'Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Center' built in Bhildi. This center has been constructed at a cost of ₹324.77 crore on a 127-acre campus. This center will serve as a dedicated 'Center of Excellence' for genetic advancement and animal breeding. Technical assistance for this project was provided by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Additionally, ₹38.83 crore was approved under the central government's Rashtriya Gokul Mission, with a special allocation of ₹2 crore for donor animals. This facility was approved under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund scheme and financial assistance was provided by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Furthermore, the Prime Minister will virtually inaugurate the upgraded French Fries processing plant at Sanadar in the Diodar taluka of Vav-Tharad district. Developed at a cost of ₹51.65 crore, the expansion work for this plant began in April 2026, allowing its production capacity to be increased from 2 tons per hour to 5 tons. This expansion will boost potato processing and provide local potato growers with better prices as well as new market opportunities. Banaskantha is a leading district in potato production. In the last 25 years, the area under processing-grade potato cultivation has increased from approximately 400 hectares to 61,016 hectares. In the year 2024-25, the district produced approximately 18.7 lakh tons of potatoes, while productivity per hectare remained around 30 tons. Due to fertile land and favorable climate, this region is ideal for chip-grade and French fry-grade potatoes. It is noteworthy that Banas Dairy entered the French fries segment under the Amul brand in 2019. The organic waste generated during potato processing is used for biogas and the remaining residues are reused in agriculture. Banas Dairy has a fully integrated production chain from test-tube plantlet development, farm seed crop production, cold storage, and final retail delivery, making it the only cooperative organization in India with such a system.

Logistical infrastructure in the dairy supply chain will also get a major boost. The Prime Minister will virtually inaugurate an 'Automated Storage and Retrieval System' built at a cost of ₹31.14 crore in Palanpur. Designed for efficient handling, storage, and dispatch of Ultra-High Temperature milk products, this fully automated warehousing system features nine-level steel racks with a capacity to hold 11,000 pallets. Developed in-house by Banas Dairy, this high-speed and traceable logistics model reduces operational costs, which directly benefits the 4.18 lakh milk producers associated with the dairy.

To expand in the clean energy sector, the Prime Minister will also virtually lay the foundation stone for the construction of two new Bio-CNG plants at Tharad and Radhanpur from Bhildi. The dairy currently operates four plants that convert cow dung into vehicle fuel and organic fertilizer. The new Tharad plant will have a daily capacity to process 75 metric tons of cow dung, while the Radhanpur plant will process 100 metric tons daily. These facilities aim to increase green energy production and create a steady source of income for cattle rearers from agricultural waste.

Prominent state leaders including Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker and Banas Dairy Chairman Shankarbhai Chaudhary, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will be present on this occasion. Representing the cooperative dairy sector, National Dairy Development Board Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, leadership teams of Gujarat's associate milk unions, and Banas Dairy Managing Director Sangram Chaudhary along with thousands of local milk producers from Banaskantha district will also be present.

Along with this, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate important projects for the celebration of National Unity Day at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district. The events organized on October 30 and 31 to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel include new projects in the tourism and eco-tourism sector. A 2.62 km long forest eco-trail named 'Trail of United India' has been developed in Lindi village, which has five thematic zones such as wildlife, youth, women empowerment, heritage, and spirituality. This trail features facilities like gazebos, bio-toilets, drinking water stations, a bamboo watchtower, stone seating, parking, and an information center.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate a new 'Rain Forest' project near Gora Bridge, which has been built at a cost of ₹9.49 crore over 47,000 square meters. This project replicates the evergreen rainforest ecosystems of the Western Ghats, Himalayas, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its main feature is a 220-meter-long glass-deck skywalk bridge. It also includes 5 to 8-meter high waterfalls, a circular pond, walking paths, a natural stone entrance, an educational information center with QR codes, and a play area with a stone wall for children. Additionally, an 'Ekta Cruise' service will also be started near the Sardar Sarovar Dam area, which will give tourists an opportunity to see natural scenery by river.

On the evening of October 30, the Prime Minister will attend a cultural program based on 'Anand Math' at Dam View Point-1. On October 31, he will visit the Statue of Unity to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, perform Pad-Puja, and take the National Unity pledge. This celebration will conclude with the 'National Unity Parade-2026', which will include 19 marching contingents, police bands, motorcycle display teams, cultural tableaux, and NCC cadets. A major attraction of this parade will be a unit of 45 dogs trained for anti-Naxal operations.