In April 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Madhya Pradesh (MP), laying the foundation stone and inaugurating projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi, UP, focused on infrastructure, electricity, education, healthcare, and sports to boost connectivity, and social welfare.
- In MP, PM Narendra Modi made a spiritual visit to Anandpur Dham, Ashoknagar district, to perform pooja at the Guru Ji Maharaj Temple in Isagarh, participated in a public program at Anandpur Dham, and addressed a public gathering.
Note: This was Modi’s 50th visit to Varanasi, the constituency he has represented since 2014.
Key Infrastructure Initiatives:
The PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various road projects in Varanasi, including:
i.A road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath
ii.Flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings
iii.A highway underpass tunnel on National Highway 31 (NH-31) near Varanasi International Airport is worth over Rs 980 crore.
Electricity Infrastructure:
i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated two 400-kilovolt (kv) and one 220-kv transmission substations and associated transmission lines of the Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts of the Varanasi division worth over Rs 1,045 crore.
ii.He laid the foundation stone of a 220-kv transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, and a 132-kv transmission substation in Ghazipur, and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over Rs 775 crore.
Security and Administrative Enhancements:
i.The PM inaugurated a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) Ramnagar Campus, improving facilities for the security personnel.
ii.He laid the foundation stone of new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line.
Educational and Sports Initiatives:
i.The PM inaugurated projects, including a Government Polytechnic College at Pindra, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government College at the village Barki, 356 rural libraries, and 100 Anganwadi centers.
ii.He laid the foundation stone for the renovation of 77 primary school buildings under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) and the construction of a new building for Kasturba Gandhi School at Cholapur, Varanasi.
iii.He also laid the foundation stone for a synthetic hockey turf with floodlights, a spectator gallery at Uday Pratap College, and a mini-stadium at Shivpur.
Water and Urban Development:
i.Inauguration of 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) worth over Rs 345 crore.
ii.The redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat at the Ganga River.
iii.Improvement of 6 municipal wards of Varanasi.
iv.Landscaping and sculpture installations at various sites of Varanasi.
MSME, Renewable Energy, and Community Initiatives:
The PM laid the foundation stone for:
i.The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Unity Mall for artisans.
Infrastructure development works of Transport Nagar Scheme at Mohansarai.
ii.1 Megawatt (MW) solar power plant at Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Bhelupur, UP.
iii.Community halls in 40 Gram Panchayats (GPs) and beautification of various parks in Varanasi.
Welfare and Cultural Promotion:
i.The PM distributed the Ayushman Vay Vandana (AVV) cards to senior citizens over 70 years old, regardless of their income.
- Varanasi has issued the highest number of Vay Vandana cards, with nearly 50,000 cards distributed.
- The AVV card is a part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), which provides Rs 5 lakh free health cover to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
ii.He presented a Geographical Indication (GI) certificate to various local items and products, including tabla, thandai, and tiranga barfi, among others.
iii.He also transferred over Rs 105 crore in bonuses to milk suppliers of UP linked to Banas Dairy.
iv.PM Narendra Modi announced the creation of an Ekta Mall in Kashi. It will serve as a one-stop destination where a wide array of traditional crafts, handlooms, and indigenous products.
About Madhya Pradesh (MP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Mohan Yadav
Governor– Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserve– Panna Tiger Reserve, Sanjay Tiger Reserve
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Yogi Aditya Nath
Governor– Anandiben Patel
Zoological Parks– Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Prani Udyan, Sarnath Deer Park
