Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a visit to his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, marking it his 50th visit since assuming office in 2014. During his visit, he is slated to launch and lay the foundation stone for 44 development projects worth ₹3,880 crore.
After landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Friday, PM Modi headed to Mehdiganj where he addressed a public gathering. The event is being organized on the Ring Road, outside the city, for the convenience of rural visitors and avoid summer heat and traffic.
Key Project Highlights
The new initiatives emphasize enhancing rural infrastructure, electricity supply, education, and city beautification.
Rural Initiatives:
- 130 drinking water schemes
- 100 new Anganwadi centres
- 356 public libraries
- A polytechnic college in Pindra
- A new government degree college
Police Infrastructure:
- Transit hostel at Police Lines
- Barracks in Ramnagar
- Construction of four rural roads
- Urban Development:
- Beautification of Shastri Ghat and Samne Ghat
- Upgrades by the Railways and Varanasi Development Authority (VDA)
Power Sector Investments:
- 15 new substations
- 1,500 km of new power lines
- A new 220 kV substation in Chaukaghat to ensure 24/7 power
Other Major Projects:
- Three flyovers
- Road widening initiatives
- School renovations
- Two new stadiums at Shivpur and UP College
- Airport tunnel-laying to aid expansion
Apart from the development projects, PM Modi categorically directed officials to take “strictest possible action” against all accused in the recent gang rape case that rocked Varanasi.
Soon after arriving in the city, PM Modi asked for a briefing by the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate regarding the heinous criminal case.
As per the officials, a total of 23 individuals have been named in this case. So far, nine accused have been arrested and sent to judicial custody. The victim was found in an unconscious state on 4th April. According to her complaint, she had been raped by 23 men over a span of seven days. The case has been registered under relevant sections at Lalpur Pandeypur police station.
A Uttar Pradesh government statement read, “Immediately after landing in Varanasi, the prime minister was briefed by the police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the recent criminal rape incident in the city.”
The statement further added, “He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”