PM Modi to Launch Rs 3,884-Crore Projects on Landmark 50th Visit to Varanasi Today

Varanasi, April 11, 2025 — In a moment that symbolizes continuity, commitment, and cultural reverence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Varanasi for the 50th time since assuming office in 2014. This landmark visit is far more than a ceremonial gesture—it represents a decade of sustained developmental focus on his parliamentary constituency, with a clear vision to transform Kashi into a global model of heritage-led urban development.

Carrying the weight of both symbolism and substance, the Prime Minister is set to unveil and lay the foundation stone for 55 mega-projects valued at ₹3,884 crore, spanning nearly every domain of urban and regional advancement. Of these, 29 projects worth ₹1,510 crore have been completed, while 26 new initiatives valued at ₹2,374 crore are being launched to propel the next phase of growth.

From infrastructure modernization and high-tech healthcare to AI-driven education hubs, river conservation, and religious tourism, the agenda reflects a multifaceted strategy. Varanasi, often referred to as India’s spiritual heartland, is now being positioned as a case study in how tradition and technology can coalesce to create sustainable, smart cities.

The Prime Minister’s repeated presence in the city sends a clear message: Varanasi is both the cradle of ancient Indian wisdom and a beacon for future-ready India. His words and actions reaffirm a broader national vision—“Kashi not only preserves heritage, it inspires innovation.”

🏗️ Massive Project Rollout: Bridging Tradition with Modernity

In what is being hailed as a defining moment for urban transformation in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 50th visit to Varanasi coincides with the formal rollout of ₹3,884 crore worth of development projects — a comprehensive push that encapsulates his dual vision for ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ (Development along with Heritage).

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the development package comprises:

• ✅ Inauguration of 29 completed projects worth ₹1,510 crore, marking successful implementation of key urban renewal works.

• 🏗️ Foundation-laying for 26 new projects, projected to cost ₹2,374 crore, ensuring continuity in city planning and future-readiness.

These projects cut across multiple verticals, such as:

• Urban transit and road connectivity

• Ganga riverfront and environmental conservation

• Water and waste management infrastructure

• Digital governance systems and CCTV surveillance

• Multilevel parking and decongestion plans near heritage and market zones

Among the most ambitious components of this rollout are:

🚦 Smart City Integration

The city’s Smart Cities Mission projects are entering a new phase with the deployment of:

• Adaptive traffic signal systems

• Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) upgrades

• Real-time data dashboards for municipal services

• Underground power cabling to declutter heritage zones and improve disaster resilience

🛣️ Urban Mobility and Transit

Road infrastructure is receiving a major facelift, including:

• Widening of major arterial roads to four lanes for smoother pilgrimage and tourist access

• Construction of multilevel parking plazas at hotspots like Godowlia and Dashashwamedh Ghat

• Last-mile connectivity upgrades for public transport and e-rickshaw routes

💧 Environmental and River Rejuvenation

Under the flagship Namami Gange Programme, expanded sewage treatment and solid waste management plants are being commissioned to:

• Treat thousands of kilolitres of wastewater daily

• Ensure 100% sewage coverage in critical riverfront areas

• Prevent the discharge of untreated effluents into the Ganga

🔌 Digital & Utility Infrastructure

Efforts include:

• Smart LED street lighting

• Wi-Fi hotspots across major tourist routes

• QR-code enabled signage in multiple languages for global tourists

🔄 Tradition Meets Transformation

These initiatives serve a broader goal: to make Varanasi a global exemplar of how ancient cities can evolve without erasing their spiritual and cultural identity. The planning aligns with both UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s Vision 2047 for inclusive and tech-integrated urban spaces.

In essence, this massive development package is not just a financial commitment—it’s a strategic framework to enhance quality of life, promote cultural tourism, stimulate grassroots employment, and reinforce Varanasi’s stature as a living civilizational legacy in the modern era.

🛣️ Urban Infrastructure & Connectivity: Foundations for a Smart Spiritual Capital

A central component of the ₹3,884 crore investment lies in revamping urban infrastructure—a domain critical for enabling mobility, boosting tourism, and improving residents’ daily experiences. Highlights include:

🚦 Smart Urban Mobility & Traffic Decongestion

• Widening of four-lane arterial roads leading to temples, ghats, and core city areas, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing the pilgrimage circuit’s travel efficiency.

• Smart traffic signalization systems integrated with AI-enabled surveillance, designed to manage growing vehicular loads and minimize traffic infractions during religious festivals.

• Multi-level parking complexes with real-time occupancy tracking near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Godowlia market, addressing the city’s chronic parking shortages.

🌐 Digital & Utility Infrastructure

• E-Governance implementation tools, including integrated city dashboards for traffic, solid waste, and sanitation management.

• Underground cabling and ducting to eliminate the visual clutter of overhead wires—especially in old town areas—enhancing both aesthetic appeal and electrical safety.

• Extension of public Wi-Fi zones and digital kiosks to support tourism and promote digital literacy.

💧 Environmental Engineering: Namami Gange & Green Urbanism

• Expansion and modernization of sewage treatment plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange Programme, specifically to tackle domestic waste inflows and improve BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) levels in the river.

• Stormwater drainage projects aimed at mitigating urban flooding risks during monsoons.

• Development of urban forests and green buffers in peri-urban zones to combat rising air pollution and improve microclimates.

🏥 Healthcare and Public Health Initiatives: Future-Ready Medical Infrastructure

In line with the government’s commitment to universal health access and medical innovation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for a series of cutting-edge healthcare projects designed to serve both the growing urban population and the millions of pilgrims who visit Varanasi annually.

🏨 AI-Powered Super Specialty Hospital

• A state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital will be built, integrating AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine capabilities, and robot-assisted surgical units—making it one of the first semi-public hospitals in India with next-gen medical technology at the core.

• The facility will also house a dedicated Mother & Child Wing, equipped with neonatal ICU units and teleconsultation links to national institutes like AIIMS.

• Special emphasis is being placed on affordability and access, particularly for economically weaker sections and rural patients under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

🚑 Decentralized Public Health Expansion

• Community Health Centers (CHCs) in underserved regions will be modernized with digital patient record systems and 24/7 emergency services.

• Introduction of mobile medical vans with GPS tracking and on-board diagnostics will ensure primary care access for rural and tribal belts surrounding Varanasi.

• Establishment of Public Health Laboratories (PHLs) aimed at low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance, and rapid pandemic response will support both local healthcare and national biosecurity priorities.

📚 Education and Youth Empowerment: Skilling for a Smarter Tomorrow

Recognizing that a thriving youth population is the cornerstone of a resilient economy, the Modi-led government is rolling out an ambitious educational transformation plan in Varanasi. This initiative integrates formal education, digital literacy, and vocational excellence — ensuring that the city becomes not only a cultural capital but also a talent hub for eastern India.

🎓 Digital-First Higher Education for Girls

In a significant push towards women’s education and empowerment, a new Government Girls’ College is being constructed. Designed with a forward-thinking blueprint, the college will offer:

• Digital Learning Laboratories with AI-driven academic resources

• STEM-focused Classrooms to promote female participation in science and technology

• Cloud-Based E-Libraries for seamless access to global knowledge databases

• AI-Enabled Career Counseling Units that offer personalized skill-mapping and mentorship

By targeting the regional urban-rural divide, the institution aims to boost the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for girls in higher education and contribute to the national objective of equitable education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

🛠️ Skill Development 2.0: Industry-Integrated Learning

In tandem, the city’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic colleges are being modernized to align with industry demands:

• Real-Time Simulation Labs for hands-on training in electrical, mechanical, and digital trades

• On-Site Apprenticeship Programs embedded in the curriculum, supported by MSMEs and corporate partners

• Collaborative MOUs with National Corporations, enabling certification, internships, and job placements

A flagship Skill Hub is also being established to train 20,000 youth by 2027. It will specialize in high-demand domains unique to Varanasi, such as:

• Tourism and Hospitality Management

• Cultural Heritage and Conservation Arts

• Smart City Infrastructure Maintenance

These projects fall under the umbrella of the Skill India Mission, building not just skills but also entrepreneurial confidence among the youth of Purvanchal.

🕌 Religious Tourism & Heritage Conservation: Spirituality Meets Smart Urbanism

With Varanasi often referred to as the “eternal city,” the Modi government is reimagining its spiritual and cultural ecosystem through cutting-edge urban design and digital innovations — positioning it as a global pilgrimage and heritage destination.

🌟 Ghats and Sacred Corridors Enhanced

Fifteen iconic ghats, integral to the city’s religious identity and daily life, are being revamped under a heritage-sensitive redevelopment program:

• Solar Lighting Systems to enhance safety and sustainability after dusk

• Public Wi-Fi Zones enabling connectivity for pilgrims and tourists

• Smart Biometric Lockers to securely store visitors’ personal belongings while they perform rituals

These facilities aim to harmonize devotion and convenience, while also reducing environmental impact along the sacred riverfront.

🛕 Kashi Vishwanath Corridor – Phase 2 Expansion

The second phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, a centerpiece of the city’s revival plan, will focus on:

• Covered Walkways and Sheltered Areas for uninterrupted movement in all weather conditions

• Digital Signage and Tourist Information Kiosks offering multilingual guidance

• Landscaped Zones and Meditation Pavilions designed for spiritual immersion

The project integrates modern infrastructure with heritage preservation, ensuring that both pilgrims and international visitors experience the essence of Kashi with comfort and reverence.

🧠 AR/VR-Driven Cultural Immersion

To attract tech-savvy travelers and younger audiences, the government is investing in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology across key temples, museums, and cultural sites. These features will include:

• Multilingual Guided Temple Tours using AR headsets

• Digital Exhibits and Motion Sensor Installations inside museums to make history interactive

• QR-Code Enabled Historical Trails, allowing tourists to scan and learn as they explore

This initiative blends India’s intangible heritage with digital storytelling, creating a new genre of immersive spiritual tourism. It is projected to boost local businesses, artisan livelihoods, and cross-border tourism interest.

PM’s Address to the Public: Vision with Veneration

In what is expected to be a landmark moment in his 50th visit to Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a significant public address at the Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Ground, one of the oldest Sanskrit learning institutions in the country. With thousands anticipated to attend, the event marks not only a political rally but also a deeply personal homecoming for the Prime Minister in his Lok Sabha constituency.

🗣️ Themes of the Address

PM Modi’s speech is expected to strike a balance between cultural reverence and developmental vision, covering a wide spectrum of policy achievements and future ambitions. Key highlights are likely to include:

• Evaluation of Ongoing Schemes: Review of central and state government schemes implemented in Varanasi over the past decade, especially flagship missions such as Namami Gange, PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, and Smart Cities Mission.

• Citizen Participation: Acknowledgement of local efforts in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, including initiatives by schools, RWAs, and temple committees in keeping Kashi clean and green.

• Youth & Employment: Vision for expanding employment through tourism, skill hubs, and education reforms — with a focus on technology-enabled skilling and vocational empowerment.

• Women Empowerment: Recognition of the role played by Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs in contributing to both social and economic progress.

👥 Direct Dialogue with Beneficiaries

In a powerful gesture of participative governance, the Prime Minister will also interact with beneficiaries of some of the most transformative central welfare schemes:

• PM Awas Yojana (Urban & Gramin): Residents who have received affordable housing grants

• Ujjwala Yojana: Women beneficiaries who now have access to clean LPG cooking fuel

• Mudra Yojana: Local entrepreneurs and small business owners who used micro-loans to launch or expand ventures

These live interactions are expected to be showcased as testimonials to the government’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” model — inclusive development that reaches every doorstep.

By centering the voice of the people and celebrating civic pride in Kashi’s transformation, PM Modi aims to reinforce Varanasi not just as a political stronghold, but as a living symbol of India’s blend of tradition, technology, and transformation.

🛡️ Security and Crowd Management: A Tech-Enabled Vigil

Given the significance of the Prime Minister’s 50th visit to Varanasi — both as a spiritual epicenter and a political bastion — the city has been transformed into a high-alert zone to ensure safety, seamless logistics, and uninterrupted public access.

🔐 Multi-Layered Security Protocols

• 3,000+ police personnel have been deployed across key intersections, ghats, and public venues to maintain law and order.

• AI-integrated drone surveillance is monitoring real-time crowd densities and movement patterns, especially around congested heritage zones and corridors.

• Facial recognition-enabled CCTV cameras and QR-coded passes are being used to manage access to sensitive areas, including the venue for the PM’s public address.

• Special Response Teams (SRTs), quick medical units, and fire rescue services are stationed at critical nodes to preempt any emergency situations.

Despite the tight security blanket, district authorities have taken special measures to ensure that routine religious practices, tourism, and trade activities in the city continue uninterrupted. Clear traffic demarcation, multilingual signages, and crowd-segregated pathways have helped maintain fluidity for locals and pilgrims alike.

📊 Political Implications: Development with Devotion as a Voter Strategy

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, Prime Minister Modi’s golden jubilee visit to his constituency of Varanasi is far from routine — it’s a high-stakes political statement.

🗳️ A Constituency as a Canvas

Varanasi is no longer just a religious heartland; it has become the laboratory of Modi’s model of governance — one that fuses:

• Ancient cultural preservation with modern urban renewal

• Grassroots empowerment with digital innovation

• Tourism and temple economy with sustainable infrastructure

🔧 Strategy in Symbolism

This visit underscores a powerful narrative of:

• Continuity — PM Modi’s enduring bond with his constituency, marking 50 visits in 10 years.

• Commitment — Massive investments, ranging from river rejuvenation to AI hospitals.

• Cultural Capital — Leveraging Varanasi as an ideological and spiritual core of the BJP’s broader national vision.

For the ruling party, Varanasi now symbolizes a “template city” — where heritage and hi-tech coexist, and where development doesn’t erase history but enhances it. This duality is expected to be a central message in the BJP’s 2024 campaign as it seeks to consolidate its urban-rural voter base.

Conclusion: A Strategic Blueprint for Smart Heritage-Led Development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 50th visit to Varanasi, marked by the launch and inauguration of ₹3,884 crore worth of projects, is far more than a ceremonial or electoral milestone. It is a clear demonstration of the government’s long-term urban transformation strategy—an integrated, citizen-focused blueprint that blends infrastructure modernization, spiritual heritage, environmental sustainability, and digital governance.

This comprehensive investment initiative signals a decisive shift in how Indian cities—particularly those of cultural and religious significance—can be developed not in isolation, but as multi-dimensional ecosystems that address quality of life, heritage conservation, and economic opportunity in equal measure. From AI-powered healthcare centers and smart mobility systems to ghat rejuvenation and skill-based youth training hubs, the Varanasi model offers a scalable, sustainable framework aligned with both India’s Vision 2047 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The political narrative aside, what stands out is the increasing confluence of public policy, data-driven project execution, and community engagement. These projects also reflect a global understanding of “smart cities”—not just in terms of digital connectivity, but in enhancing urban resilience, socio-economic equity, and environmental harmony.

By setting such a precedent in his own constituency, PM Modi is reinforcing a governance style rooted in visible delivery, measurable outcomes, and cultural sensitivity. As cities across India look to modernize, Varanasi is evolving into a living lab for integrated development, one that fuses tradition with technology, and emotion with execution.

To explore the complete list of projects and their projected timelines, visit the official Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) website.

For more real time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.