On 20th October 2024, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple significant projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) to boost connectivity and regional development.
Inauguration of multiple airport projects :Â
PM Modi inaugurated multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore in Varanasi.
Details of the projects:Â
i.PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and associated work of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi with a total outlay of around Rs.2870 crore.
ii.He also laid the foundation stone of the New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport worth more than Rs 570 crore, Darbhanga Airport worth around Rs 910 crore and Bagdogra Airport worth around Rs 1550 crore.
iii.He also inaugurated new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport worth over Rs 220 crore.
- The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to more than 2.3 crore passengers per year.
- The designs of these airports will be based upon the common elements of heritage structures of the region.
Inauguration of RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi
PM Modi inaugurated RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi. The hospital will provide comprehensive consultation and treatment facilities for various eye conditions.
i.The RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is the 14th hospital to be run by the Kanchi Math in India.
ii.It will benefit people of 20 districts and those who live in the border areas of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
iii.Free treatment would be offered to the poor at the hospital in large numbers.
iv.The hospital will also create new job opportunities for many youths as well as job and internship opportunities for medical students along with jobs for the support staff as well.
Inauguration of Other Development Initiatives:Â
i.PM Modi inaugurated the Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopments of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under the Khelo India scheme and the Smart City mission.
- The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art sports complex which would be having a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science centre, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges, and combat sports arenas.
ii.He also inaugurated 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.
iii.PM Modi also inaugurated tourism development works in Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath.
- These developments involve the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage systems, and a zone with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors.
iv.PM Modi also launched various initiatives like tourism development work at the Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple, and beautification and redevelopment of parks.
About Uttar Pradesh
Capital – Lucknow
Chief minister– Yogi Adityanath
Governor– Anandiben Patel
