Halol (Gujarat): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has chosen Godhra town in Panchmahal as the venue of official celebrations of Republic Day Monday, and the district has received a special developmental package.

On the eve of Repubic Day, Modi laid the foundation stone of a new radial tyre plant of Ceat at Halol in Panchamahals, about 200 km from Ahmedabad.

Ceat would invest Rs.8 billion (Rs.800 crore) for the plant which is likely to provide jobs to 3,000 people.

Modi said his government was committed to developing central Gujarat as a hub of automobile industry.

He also announced a slew of developmental schemes to accelerate pace of development of Panchmahal, including a special grant of Rs.10 million for all municipalities in the district.