Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a multitude of development projects valued at over Rs 191.5 billion in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Serving as the Member of Parliament for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Modi played a key role in the extensive initiative.
As part of the Smart City Mission, the Prime Minister unveiled a website providing detailed tourist information and introduced the Unified Tourist Pass System. This pass facilitates unified ticket bookings for Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ganga Cruise, and Sarnath's light and sound show, streamlining services through integrated QR code technology.
Among the significant projects, the Prime Minister inaugurated the New Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar-New Bhaupur Dedicated Freight Corridor Project, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 109 billion, along with various other railway projects. The launch of the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train, Dohrighat-Mau MEMU train, and Long Haul goods trains took place at the newly inaugurated Dedicated Freight Corridor. Additionally, the 10,000th locomotive manufactured by Banaras Locomotive Works was flagged off. Furthermore, the Prime Minister inaugurated the green-field Shivpur-Phulwaria-Lahartara road, two Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), and various other key projects.
Projects inaugurated by the Prime Minister encompassed the strengthening and widening of 20 roads, the Sangam Ghat road in Kaithi village, residential buildings in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital, multi-storey barrack buildings in Police line and PAC Bhullanpur, smart bus shelters at nine locations, and a 132 KW substation at Alaipur. The Unified Tourist Pass System under the Smart City Mission was also launched.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects exceeding Rs 6,500 crore, including an 800 MW solar park in Chitrakoot district, a new petroleum oil terminal at Mirzapur, widening of Varanasi-Bhadohi NH 731 B (Package-2), 69 rural drinking water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission, and various health sector projects.
Commending the people of Varanasi for setting a Guinness World Record for lighting the most number of diyas during Dev Deepavali, the Prime Minister expressed his pride in their accomplishments. Emphasising the interconnected prosperity of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and the entire country, he underscored the importance of ongoing development efforts in water supply, healthcare, transportation, and infrastructure.
Reflecting on railway-related initiatives, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of dedicated eastern and western freight corridors, the commissioning of the 10,000th railway engine, and the strides made in solar power, exemplified by the 800 MW solar power park in Chitrakoot. The facilities in Deorai and Mirzapur were acknowledged for addressing the state's petroleum product needs.
