Varanasi, India – On a humid Saturday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped into his constituency of Varanasi and unveiled a comprehensive package of development projects worth nearly ₹2,200 crore. From road upgrades to temple restorations, education enhancements to drinking water access, the city’s transformation is nearing a new chapter—one that ties deep cultural identity with striking modernization efforts.
Timeline of Events
PM Modi arrived in Varanasi on August 2 and kicked off the day-long initiative with a flurry of inaugurations and foundation-laying ceremonies. The agenda clearly reflected a mix of urban improvement and rural outreach. By lunchtime, more than 45 distinct projects were either inaugurated or given the green light—including infrastructure, heritage, energy and health-based developments.
“For my family members in Kashi, tomorrow, August 2, is a very special day. Around 11 in the morning, I will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects related to education, health, sports, tourism, and connectivity… I will also have the privilege of releasing the 20th instalment of PM-Kisan,” PM Modi had posted on X a day before the visit.
Road Connectivity Gets a Major Push
The city saw visible efforts to unclog its arterial roads and sustain smoother inter-district travel. Among the key transportation projects inaugurated were:
- Widening of the Varanasi-Bhadohi road
- Expansion of Chhitauni-Shool Tankeshwar road
- Construction of a new railway overbridge at Hardattpur
Foundation stones were laid for several other mobility-focused initiatives:
- Urban corridors at Lahartara-Kotwa and Gangapur
- Rural link roads in Babatpur and Dalmandi
- Two new railway overbridges at Level Crossing 22C and Khalispur Yard
If you’re a local commuter or someone simply trying to navigate Varanasi, these changes might not just ease movement—they could reshape your daily patterns entirely. The city’s layout seems ready to gear into a new level.
Electricity and Smart Distribution
Power infrastructure has long been a concern in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. With over ₹880 crore earmarked to build smarter, more reliable electricity grids in Varanasi, the Prime Minister took a step towards future-proofing the city’s energy framework. Projects under the “Smart Distribution Project” aim at undergrounding electric wires and stabilizing power delivery in high-density zones.
While full implementation might take more than a season or two, the groundwork hints at a long-anticipated shift from overhead clutter to streamlined electric management. Residents in prime commercial areas are likely to notice the difference first.
Tourism and Cultural Revival
Varanasi’s identity is inseparable from its spiritual and historical significance. PM Modi’s visit acknowledged this deeply, with a series of restoration and beautification efforts:
- Redevelopment of 8 Kuccha Ghats along the Ganges
- Renovation and cleanup at Kalika Dham, Rangildas Kutiya, and Durgakund
- Foundation stone for redevelopment of Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple
In a quieter moment, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation for an Urban Miyawaki Forest in Kanchanpur and revamping of Shaheed Udyan and 21 parks—choosing sustainability alongside serenity.
The city facility centers in Rishi Mandvi and Ramnagar are expected to help tourists navigate local history and landmarks more efficiently. More than some photos and guided walks, these projects might deepen how people experience Banaras altogether.
Improving Drinking Water & Sanitation
Access to clean water continues to be a pressing issue for rural parts of India. In this expansion phase, Varanasi will see the commissioning of:
- 47 Rural Drinking Water Schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission
- Water maintenance and purification across kunds like Ramkund, Mandakini, Shankuldhara
- Installation of four floating pujan platforms to enhance river management with reverence
This combination of urban and rural projects seems, at least on paper, to acknowledge rising water stress across geography and population here. It’s practical, but also partially poetic—offering prayers with purified water.
Education Gets New Ground
Of all the sectors touched upon, the education upgrade felt particularly hands-on. The Prime Minister inaugurated improvements to 53 city school buildings and laid plans for more. These are not major universities or elite institutes—but district libraries, government high schools in places like Lalpur and Jakhini, staples that often go ignored.
Education matters, and here, it seems remembered. If you ask around, parents and students alike might quietly approve. There’s real work ahead, no doubt, but groundwork like this is harder to dismiss.
Healthcare Infrastructure Steps Forward
In the health sector, smaller but technically advanced shifts are underway. PM Modi inaugurated advanced robotic surgery units and CT scan centers at the Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre and the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital.
More than promises, these upgrades symbolize capacity—enabling stronger cancer care within city limits. Alongside these, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for a Homoeopathic College and opened an Animal Birth Control and Dog Care Centre.
The diversity in health-related efforts signals that city governance is looking at multiple levels of wellbeing. From humans to pets, from advanced robotic precision to homeopathy—the package reflects a wide-lens approach.
Community Response
The atmosphere in Varanasi during and immediately after the event was a mix of anticipation, applause, and cautious optimism. Locals gathered in spontaneous clusters near ghat areas and government schools, sharing updates and speculations.
“It’s not just about big projects,” said a municipal schoolteacher from Jakhini. “They’re fixing basic things—roofs, libraries, labs. That matters for us and our students.”
Some shopkeepers near Lahartara voiced concerns about construction delays, but even they hinted at support—if the promises hold.
What’s Next?
Much of what PM Modi announced requires long-term follow-through. Groundbreaking ceremonies are one thing, but seeing completion, accountability, and maintenance is another.
Yet, for now, Varanasi stands at the intersection of heritage and progress. You can feel the rush to modernize, even while holding onto something older, steady, perhaps even sacred.
Whether these projects reach their full impact or get tangled in red tape—we’ll all be watching. Eyes on Kashi, as always.
