PM Modi Announces Over Rs. 1780 Crore Investment In UP's Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a development package of over Rs. 1780 crore for Varanasi, including the foundation stone laying of the Passenger Ropeway from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia, sewage treatment plant, redevelopment of Sigra Stadium, an LPG bottling plant, primary health center, and floating jetty with changing rooms. Additionally, he dedicated 19 drinking water schemes and laid the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission for Varansi, which is an important part of Yogi's dream UP. 

Modi also inaugurated an integrated pack house in Karkhiyaon for grading, sorting, and processing of fruits and vegetables and various projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission.

A Boost To the economy & Employment

The Prime Minister highlighted the new development projects related to tourism and the beautification of the city, saying Kashi defied the apprehensions of people and succeeded in transforming the city. Over seven crore tourists visited Kashi in just one year, creating new economic opportunities and employment in the city.

New Centers For Economic Activities

PM Modi also referred to the new ATC tower at Babatpur Airport, which strengthens air connectivity with Kashi. The new ropeway project will take the connectivity in the city to a new level, and he noted that the distance between Banaras Cantt Railway station and Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor would be covered within minutes after its completion, while also easing traffic congestion in areas between Cantt Station and Godowlia. He emphasized that modern facilities for the ropeway would create a new center for economic activities.

Natural farming and agri-exports

Under the Namami Gange Mission, the Prime Minister informed that a sewage treatment network had been established in all cities on the banks of the Ganges. He also noted that a special allocation had been made for promoting natural farming along the stretch of 5 kilometers on both sides of the Ganges. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that along with Varanasi, the entire eastern Uttar Pradesh is turning into a hub of agriculture and agri-exports, with processing, transportation, and storage facilities in Varanasi giving new impetus to 'Langda' mango of Varanasi, 'bhindi' and 'hari mirch' of Ghazipur, Jaunpur's 'mooli & Kharbooje' reaching international markets.

Clean Drinking Water & LPG Bottling Plant

PM Modi emphasized that several projects related to clean drinking water had been inaugurated and their foundation stone laid today. He highlighted the 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal' campaign and informed that 8 crore households in the country had received tapped water supply in the last three years. The LPG bottling plant in Sewapuri will not only benefit the beneficiaries but also fulfill the LPG demand in the eastern region.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Prime Minister dedicated 19 drinking water schemes, which will benefit more than 3 lakh people in 63 Gram Panchayats. To further strengthen the rural drinking water system, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the Mission.

For farmers, exporters and traders in and around Varanasi, the grading, sorting, and processing of fruits and vegetables will be possible at an integrated pack house which has been constructed at Karkhiyaon. The Prime Minister dedicated this project to the nation during the event. It will help in boosting agricultural exports of Varanasi and the surrounding region.

The Prime Minister 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.