On August 2, 2025, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi visited Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth around Rs.2,200 crore.
- During the visit, he also released the 20th installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, transferring 20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.7 crore farmers across India.
Exam Hints:
- What? PM Narendra Visited Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Purpose: Inauguration and foundation laying of Rs.2,200 crore worth of development projects
- Key Inaugurations: Electrical Smart Distribution Project, upgradation of 53 school buildings, robotic surgery and CT scan facilities, 47 Rural Drinking Water Schemes
- Other Release: Released Rs. 20500 crore under PM-KISAN scheme to over 9.7 crore farmers
Key Initiatives Unveiled:
Over 100 development projects were launched covering various sectors:
Infrastructure:PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key road infrastructure projects, including the widening of the Varanasi–Bhadohi Road, Chhitauni–Shool Tankeshwar Road, and the construction of a Railway Overbridge at Hardattpur, UP.
- The initiative also covered urban and rural road upgrades in areas such as Dalmandi, Lahartara-Kotwa, Gangapur, and Babatpur.
Power Sector: He launched power infrastructure projects valued at over Rs.880 crore, including the Smart Distribution Project and initiatives to underground overhead electrical cables, aimed at enhancing the safety, reliability, and modernization of Varanasi’s power supply network.
Education: PM inaugurated the upgradation of 53 school buildings, laid the foundation for a district library, and announced rejuvenation of Government High Schools at Jakhini and Lalpur in UP.
Healthcare: He inaugurated robotic surgery and Computed Tomography scan (CT scan) facilities at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital.
- He also laid the foundation stone for a Homoeopathic College and Hospital and inaugurated an Animal Birth Control Centre along with a dedicated Dog Care Facility.
Tourism and Heritage: Redevelopment initiatives were launched at eight riverfront ghats along with key heritage sites including Kalika Dham, Rangildas Kutiya, Durgakund, and Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple.
- The projects also include the restoration of Munshi Premchand’s ancestral home in Lamahi and the development of a Miyawaki Urban Forest in Kanchanpur.
Water and Sanitation: He also inaugurated 47 Rural Drinking Water Schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), along with purification projects at Ramkund, Mandakini, and Shankuldhara kunds, and introduced floating pujan platforms.
Sports and Law Enforcement: A synthetic hockey turf was inaugurated at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium in Varanasi. PM Narendra Modi also inaugurated a 300-capacity multipurpose hall at the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) campus in Ramnagar(UP) and laid the foundation stone for the construction of Quick Response Team (QRT) Barracks.
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Yogi Adityanath
Governor – Anandiben Patel
Capital – Lucknow
Wildlife Sanctuary(WLS) – Katarniaghat WLS, Hastinapur WLS
