PM Modi to Unveil ₹2,200 Crore Development Push in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi today, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 53 development projects worth approximately ₹2,200 crore, aimed at transforming the ancient city into a modern hub while preserving its cultural heritage. The visit, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., includes a public address at Banauli (Kalika Dham) village in the Sevapuri Assembly segment, with stringent security measures in place, including multi-layered police deployment along Modi’s routes.

“For my family members in Kashi, today is a very special day,” Modi posted on X on Friday. “I will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects related to education, health, sports, tourism, and connectivity, while releasing the 20th instalment of PM-KISAN.” The PM-KISAN scheme’s latest tranche will transfer over ₹20,500 crore to the bank accounts of more than 9.7 crore farmers nationwide, bringing the total disbursement since the scheme’s inception to over ₹3.9 lakh crore. Uttar Pradesh, accounting for 25% of the nation’s small and marginal farmers, will see significant benefits from this release.

Key infrastructure projects include the widening and strengthening of the Varanasi-Bhadohi and Chhitauni-Shool Tankeshwar roads, and the inauguration of a railway overbridge at Hardattpur to ease congestion on the Mohan Sarai-Adalpura stretch. Modi will also lay foundation stones for road upgrades in Dalmandi, Lahartara-Kotwa, Gangapur, and Babatpur, alongside two railway overbridges at Level Crossing 22C and Khalispur Yard. Power infrastructure will receive a ₹880-crore boost under the Smart Distribution Project, including the undergrounding of electrical lines to ensure reliable supply.

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In education, the Prime Minister will inaugurate upgraded facilities for 53 municipal schools and lay the foundation for a new district library and improvements to government high schools in Jakhini and Lalpur. Healthcare initiatives include advanced robotic surgery and CT scan facilities at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, as well as a new Homoeopathic College and Hospital. Tourism and cultural preservation projects feature the redevelopment of eight riverfront kuccha ghats, beautification of Kalika Dham, restoration of Durgakund, and water purification at historic kunds like Ramkund, Mandakini, and Shankuldhara.

Modi’s vision for sustainable development includes launching an urban Miyawaki forest in Kanchanpur and beautifying 21 parks, including Shaheed Udyan. Rural welfare will see 47 drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, ensuring tap water access in remote villages. Sports infrastructure will get a boost with a synthetic hockey turf at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, while law enforcement will benefit from a 300-capacity multipurpose hall at PAC Ramnagar and new Quick Response Team barracks. Additionally, Modi will distribute over 7,400 assistive aids to Divyangjan and elderly beneficiaries and launch the Kashi Sansad Pratiyogita portal for competitions in sketching, painting, sports, and more.

Varanasi, often called Kashi, has undergone significant transformation since Modi became its MP in 2014, with over ₹40,000 crore in projects launched during his 50+ visits. Local residents, like shopkeeper Anil Gupta, praise the visible changes: “New roads, better ghats, and reliable power have made Kashi a global destination.” However, critics argue that rapid urbanization risks straining the city’s heritage, citing concerns over encroachment near ghats. The government counters that projects like the Miyawaki forest and ghat restoration balance modernity with tradition.

Today’s visit, Modi’s third to Varanasi in 2025, underscores his commitment to making Kashi a model of development, blending spirituality with progress. As he addresses the public, the city anticipates a renewed push toward becoming a leading economic and cultural hub in eastern India.

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