Kankaria lake front to be 'kids capital of the nation': Modi

"Development of Kankaria lakefront will take place keeping kids at its core. It will be a kids' capital of the city and of the country, in the days to come," Modi said after unveiling projects worth Rs 125 crore for the development of the lakefront.

The 550 year-old Kakaria is the biggest lake in Ahmedabad, whose precincts have been developed over the years as an entertainment hub, offering facilities like joyrides, balloon safari and toy trains, amongst others.

Modi said the emerging neo-middle class has begun making its presence felt and the lakefront would be a major destination for kids from that section of the society.

"Their dreams are like that of upper classes but their economic condition is far below. Kakaria is an important destination for them, where they come with their children," Modi said, toeing the BJP's party manifesto's line on neo-middle class dreams.

At the launch ceremony of the week-long fifth Kakaria carnival today, Modi also dedicated a newly built butterfly park at Kankaria to the people.

The Gujarat government has signed two MoUs for the development of amusement parks at Kakaria, where entertainment features like 'wings of fire' and 'vertical swing' will be available on the lines of parks in Singapore, UK or Malaysia.