Varanasi: It rained bonanza in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency where the PM laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth more than Rs. 1780 crores during a programme at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground today.
The projects included laying the foundation stone of the Rs 645 crore and 3.75 km long passenger ropeway from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia with five stations, a 55 MLD sewage treatment plant at Bhagwanpur under Namami Ganga Scheme to be built at a cost of more than Rs. 300 crores, Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment work of Sigra Stadium, an LPG bottling plant at Isarwar village, Sewapuri to be built by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, a primary health centre in Bharthara village and floating jetty with changing rooms among others.
The PM dedicated 19 drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which he said will benefit more than 3 lakh people of 63 Gram Panchayats. He also laid the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the Mission. He also dedicated an integrated pack house in Karkhiyaon for grading, sorting and processing of fruits and vegetables. He also dedicated various projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission including redevelopment work of Rajghat and Mahmoorganj government schools; beautification of internal city roads; redevelopment of 6 parks and ponds of the city among others. He also dedicated various other infrastructure projects including the ATC tower at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport; a 2 MW solar power plant at water works premises, Bhelupur; an 800 KW solar power plant at Konia Pumping Station; a new Community Health Center at Sarnath; infrastructure improvement of Industrial estate at Chandpur; rejuvenation of temples of Kedareshwar, Vishweshwar and Omkareshwar Khand Parikrama among others.
Addressing the gathering, the PM informed that the foundation stone of a passenger ropeway has been laid while other projects worth hundreds of crores have also been initiated for the all-around development of Varanasi which includes sectors like drinking water, health, education, Ganga Cleanliness, flood control, police services and sports services among others. He also said that the foundation stone of the Center of Excellence on Machine Tools Design has been laid at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) which adds another institution of global standards to the city.
The PM said that Kashi’s development is being talked about everywhere and every visitor is going back with new energy. He said that Kashi defied the apprehensions of people and succeeded in transforming the city.
Modi remarked on the simultaneous ‘darshan’ of the old and the new in Kashi. He mentioned the global buzz around Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ganga Ghat work, and the longest river cruise. More than 7 crore tourists visited Kashi in just one year. “These tourists are creating new economic opportunities and employment in the city,” he said.
He also highlighted the new development projects related to tourism and the beautification of the city. “Be it roads, bridges, railways or airports, the connectivity to Varanasi has completely eased”, Modi said as he pointed out that the new ropeway project will take the connectivity in the city to a new level. He noted that it will boost the facilities of the city along with creating a new attraction for tourists. He said that the distance between Banaras Cantonment Railway station and Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor will be covered within minutes after the completion of the ropeway while also easing traffic congestion in areas between Cantt Station and Godowlia.
The PM also talked about the New ATC tower at Babatpur Airport as a step for strengthening the air connectivity with Kashi. He further touched upon the development of a floating jetty and underlined that the main focal point has been the needs of pilgrims and tourists. Under the Namami Gange Mission, he said that a sewage treatment network has been established in all cities on the banks of the Ganges. “Everyone has witnessed the transforming landscape of Ganga Ghats in the past 9 years”, he remarked and said that a new environmental campaign is underway on both sides of the Ganges where the government is promoting natural farming along the stretch of 5 kilometres. He also pointed out the special allocation made in this year’s budget for this.
The Prime Minister said that new centres were being developed so that assistance is provided to farmers when it comes to natural farming, and expressed happiness that along with Varanasi, the entire eastern Uttar Pradesh was turning into a hub of agriculture and agri-exports. He mentioned processing, transportation and storage facilities in Varanasi giving new impetus to ‘Langda’ mango of Varanasi, ‘bhindi’ (ladyfinger) and ‘hari mirch’ (green chilly) of Ghazipur, Jaunpur’s ‘mooli and Kharbooje’ (radish and muskmelon) were reaching international markets.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Anadiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and Ministers from Uttar Pradesh Government were present on the occasion among others.
– global bihari bureau
