PM Modi gifts projects worth Rs 2,412 cr to Varanasi

Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service
Lucknow, November 12

Dedicating the first 1,383-km multi-modal waterway terminal on Ganga, connecting Varanasi to Haldia, for large vessels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday declared that he wanted his Lok Sabha constituency to emerge as the 'sangam' of culture, nature and adventure.

Later speaking at a public meeting at Wajidpur village in Varanasi, PM Modi said, "We have to continue with the development process and also preserve the culture and heritage of this ancient city."

During his 15th visit to Varanasi since he became its MP, Modi gifted projects worth Rs 2,413 crore to his constituency.

Beginning and ending his 35-minute address with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' he also greeted the people on the occasion of 'Chhath' in Bhojpuri.

Asking the "Modi-Modi" chanting cheering crowds to preserve their energy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections of 2019 PM Modi said, "For us our focus has always been on development and not on vote bank politics."

"The season of festivity has come to an end and I am fortunate that I visited Baba Kedarnath on Diwali and today I offered prayers to Baba Vishwanath."

Describing it as a historic day for the people of Varanasi he slammed his political opponents saying that the city should have got these projects decades ago.

PM Modi said when he announced his commitment to the waterway project four years ago his opponents ridiculed him. "The first cargo vessel from Kolkata arriving recently at the water terminal provided an appropriate answer to the critics," he said.  

The project was unveiled as PM Modi received India's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata on the inland waterway on October 30, carrying cargo belonging to food and beverage giant PepsiCo India.

He said for the first time since Independence the river network was being used for commerce at such a scale which will benefit the four states of eastern India, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Jharkhand and West Bengal.

PM Modi explained how the Jal Marg Vikas project aims to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo movement.

"This is the next generation infrastructure as symbol of the "New India' that will change the face of transportation in India. The entire northeast region will connect to the country through waterways. The weavers, farmer, carpet exporters and small traders of Varanasi, Bhadohi and Mirzapur will immensely benefit with this system," he said.

PM Modi said cruise tourism would take off in a big way in Varanasi further boosting the local economy.

Referring to the newly inaugurated four-lane road connecting the airport to the Varanasi city he said the world class road connecting the airport to the city is such that he had been told that people were stopping to take a 'selfie' with the road.

The PM and local MP also inaugurated the Babatpur four lane road, ring road phase 1, Dinapur STP, interceptor sewer and pumping station, hostel in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya and Ashray scheme in Parmanandpur.