Prime Minister Modi To Begin Two-Day Visit To Varanasi Today, Set To Inaugurate 17 Infra Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi today (22 September) for a two-day visit during which he will inaugurate several projects covering sectors like infrastructure, railways, financial inclusion and sanitation.

Among the highlights will be the flagging off of the Mahamana Express train which will connect Varanasi with Surat and Vadodara in Gujarat.

"Tomorrow I begin my Varanasi visit, during which various development works will be launched," Modi tweeted tonight.

He said the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, a trade facilitation centre for handicrafts, will be dedicated to the nation tomorrow.

Other projects to be inaugurated include Utkarsh Bank, which specialises in micro finance, 'Jal Ambulance' (water ambulance) service and 'Jal Shav Vahan' (water-based vehicle for carrying bodies) service, the prime minister said in another tweet.

The prime minister will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone of the headquarters building of the Utkarsh Bank, the PMO said.

In the evening today, Modi will visit the historic Tulsi Manas Temple in Varanasi. He will also release a postal stamp on Ramayana. He will later visit the Durga Mata Temple in the city.

"I look forward to praying at the historic Tulsi Manas Temple & Durga Mata Temple. A postage stamp on the Ramayana will also be released," Modi said in another tweet.

On Saturday, the prime minister will briefly participate in a sanitation-related activity in a village of Shahanshahpur.

He will distribute certificates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural & Urban) and address a gathering on the occasion.

Modi will inaugurate nearly 17 infrastructure projects, including the Ramnagar-Samne Ghat bridge and the Balua Ghat bridge, and lay the foundation of nearly six projects including Ramna Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), said Sanjay Bhardwaj, the BJP's eastern Uttar Pradesh media in- charge.

The prime minister will dedicate to the nation a community kitchen ('Annakshetra') near the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple, Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Nitin Ramesh Gokarn said.

On 23 September, Modi will inaugurate 'Pashu Arogya Mela' in Shahanshahpur on the outskirts of the city. He will also address a gathering of farmers there.

He will also distribute loan waiver certificates to some farmers, whose loans have been waived by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government. (PTI)