Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a series of development projects worth over ₹3,880 crore in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency. On arrival, he was felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the event venue.
Addressing the gathering, CM Yogi highlighted Varanasi’s transformation and the successful organization of Maha Kumbh.
“Kashi was also a witness to the grand organisation of the Maha Kumbh. Following victories in assembly polls in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi, and the successful organisation of Maha Kumbh, the Prime Minister has arrived here in Kashi today,” CM Yogi said.
“In the last 11 years under PM Modi's leadership, devotees were excited to visit the new Kashi. During the 45-day (Maha Kumbh), over 3 crore devotees offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple,” he added.
This was PM Modi’s first visit to Varanasi after eight years of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh. Continuing his push for infrastructure development, especially in enhancing road and urban connectivity, the Prime Minister inaugurated and launched several key projects.
These include the foundation stones for a road bridge connecting the Varanasi Ring Road with Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings, and a highway underpass tunnel near Varanasi International Airport, with a combined worth of over ₹980 crore.
PM Modi also launched power infrastructure projects, including two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations across Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur. He laid the foundation for additional substations in Varanasi and Ghazipur, along with upgrades to the city’s distribution system, totalling over ₹1,820 crore.
For police and security personnel, he inaugurated a transit hostel at the Police Line, barracks at PAC Ramnagar, and initiated new administrative buildings and hostels across stations.
In the education sector, the PM inaugurated the Government Polytechnic College at Pindra, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government College in Barki, 100 Anganwadi centres, and 356 rural libraries. Renovation work for 77 primary schools and construction of a new Kasturba Gandhi School building in Cholapur were also launched.
To promote sports infrastructure, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for a synthetic hockey turf with floodlights and a mini stadium at Shivpur.
Among civic development projects, PM Modi inaugurated the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat on the Ganga, launched 130 rural drinking water schemes worth over ₹345 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and flagged improvements for six municipal wards along with beautification and sculpture installations at various public spaces.
Promoting local enterprise, PM Modi laid the foundation for the MSME Unity Mall for artisans, infrastructure work under the Transport Nagar Scheme at Mohansarai, a 1 MW solar power plant at WTP Bhelupur, and community halls in 40 Gram Panchayats.
Highlighting social welfare, the Prime Minister distributed Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens — marking the first such distribution in over 70 years. He also presented GI (Geographical Indication) certificates to regional products like tabla, painting, thandai, and tiranga barfi, underlining the government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
In support of the dairy sector, PM Modi transferred over ₹105 crore in bonuses to milk suppliers in Uttar Pradesh affiliated with Banas Dairy.