In January 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth over Rs 629 crore under the Mansa Municipality, covering Mansa and parts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Exam Hints:
- What? Union Minister Amit Shah visited Mansa, Gujarat
- Purpose: To launch several development projects
- Total Cost: Over Rs 629 crore
- Inauguration: State-of-the-art sports complex, underground sewerage system and fire station in Mansa
- Laid Foundation Stone:
- Pharma Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE), Ahmedabad
- BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility, Gandhinagar
- Redevelopment of the historic Malav Lake
Key Projects Launched in Ahmedabad:
Sports Infrastructure Initiative: He inaugurated a state-of-the-art sports complex in Mansa, constructed at a cost of Rs 267 crore, as part of efforts to develop the region into a world-class sports hub with preparations aimed at hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
Civic Infrastructure Upgrade: He also inaugurated Mansa’s underground sewerage system and a new fire station, significantly enhancing the town’s urban civic services.
Foundation Stone for PAGE: He laid the foundation stone for the Pharma Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, near Sanand Circle in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marking 25 years of the Indian Pharma Alliance (IPA).
- The IPA companies have allocated USD 50 million for this newly launched initiative.
BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility: Union Minister Amit Shah also laid the foundation stone for India’s first high-tech Bio Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) laboratory at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, to be developed at a cost of Rs 362 crore over 11,000 square metres (sq. m).
- It will be India’s 2nd BSL-4 laboratory after the National Institute of Virology(NIV) in Pune, Maharashtra, and the 1st such high-level lab to be set up by the state government.
- It will facilitate secure research on highly infectious and lethal pathogens under the highest biosafety standards, marking a major milestone in strengthening India’s health security and biosafety ecosystem.
Heritage Redevelopment: He laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the historic Malav Lake in Mansa, aiming to enhance the town’s environmental and recreational infrastructure.
Announcement of Key Projects:
Healthcare Projects: While addressing the event, Union Home Minister Shah announced that a new 11-storey Civil hospital equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities will be constructed in Mansa.
- After the completion of the hospital, a Medical College will be set up within the campus of SD Arts and B.R. Commerce College.
Roads & Infrastructure Projects: He also announced two key road projects:
- A Mansa-Pilwai Highway (HW) will be constructed at a cost of Rs 110 crore;
- A Balva-Gochariya road to be built at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
Current Status of India’s Biotechnology Sector:
Bio-economy: India’s bio-economy has surged from USD 10 billion (in 2014) to USD 166 billion by 2024.
Startups: The number of startups in biotechnology sector has increased from 500 (in 2014) to more than 10,000 by 2025.
Patent Filings: The numbers of patent filings have increased more than 10-times in last 10 years.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister (CM)– Bhupendrabhai Patel
Governor- Acharya Devvrat
Capital- Gandhinagar
National Park (NP)- Gir NP, Marine NP
