December 1, 2020
Unprecedented efforts have been made on new highways, pull-flyovers, and widening of roads to reduce traffic jams in and around Varanasi
Indian farmers will benefit greatly when modern connectivity expands in the area, with infra like cold storage and large godowns
On November 9, PM Modi launched 16 schemes worth US$30 million and announced that work on 14 schemes worth US$ 54.4 million has begun
Tourism is a top priority, with decoration of the ghats, the introduction of CNG to reduce pollution, and the creation of the tourist plaza at Dashashwamedh Ghat
On November 30, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a six-lane widening project of the Varanasi-Prayagraj section of NH-19 in Varanasi. Addressing the citizens and media, PM Modi said that Uttar Pradesh is now seeing the outcomes of the work done in terms of connectivity and beautification of Varanasi, which has been ongoing over the past few years. He added that unprecedented efforts have been made on new highways, pull-flyovers, and widening of roads to reduce traffic jams in and around the city. He also added that Indian farmers would benefit greatly when modern connectivity expands in the area, mentioning the various efforts made to create infrastructure like cold storage along with modern roads in villages. A fund of US$13.6 billion dollars has also been created for this.
Earlier this month, on November 9, PM Modi had laid the foundation stones of various development projects in Varanasi over video conference, while also launching 16 schemes worth US$30 million (Rs 220 crore) and announcing that work on 14 schemes worth US$ 54.4 million (Rs 400 crore) has already begun. The projects inaugurated on November 9 included the Sarnath Light and Sound Show, the upgradation of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Ramnagar, sewerage related work, infrastructure facilities for protection of cows, IPDS phase 2, a housing complex for players in Sampurnanand Stadium, Varanasi city smart lighting, along with 105 Anganwadi Kendras and 102 Gau Ashray Kendras.
The Uttar Pradesh government has been working to include tourism in the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi. Whether it is the infrastructure work carried out like the decoration of the ghats, the introduction of CNG to reduce pollution, or the creation of the tourist plaza at Dashashwamedh Ghat, infrastructure growth in Varanasi is at an all-time high.
In terms of air travel, Varanasi Airport has upped its daily flight capacity from 12 to 48. For local farmers, many facilities ranging from storage to transport have been created, like the center of the International Rice Institute, Milk Processing Plant, Construction of Perishable Cargo Center, etc. A recently-launched godown with storage capacity of 100 MT will expand the storage facilities for farmers in the area. With all these developments, Varanasi is poised to become a future-ready city soon.