Noting that the Yogi Adityanath government completes the first year of its second term on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Uttar Pradesh has emerged from the shadows of disappointment and is now treading the path of aspirations and expectations.
He also said Uttar Pradesh is adding new dimensions to every sector of development in the state. The Prime Minister made these remarks at a public meeting at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi after laying the foundation stones and inaugurating a total of 28 projects worth ₹1780 crore. These projects include a passenger ropeway system for Kashi.
“The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh is completing the first year of its second term tomorrow, on 25th March,” Modi said and added, “Yogiji has created a new record of being the chief minister of the state for the longest time (unbroken stint).”
He also said Uttar Pradesh is a clear example of increased security and service ensuring prosperity.
“Where security and facilities increase, prosperity increases for sure. This is what is happening in Uttar Pradesh today,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“Where security and facilities increase, prosperity increases for sure. This is what is happening in Uttar Pradesh today,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}He also stated the development of Kashi (Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency) Varanasi was being discussed all over the country and the world.
There is heritage as well as development in Kashi, said Modi.
Starting his speech with the chant of Har Har Mahadev, Modi extended Navratri greetings to the people of Kashi.
“With the blessings of Maa Chitraghanta, a new chapter is being added to the happiness and prosperity of Banaras. Today, the development of Kashi is being discussed all over the country and the world. Everyone who visits Kashi is taking energy from here.”
Modi said there was simultaneous ‘darshan’ of the old and the new in Kashi.
He mentioned there was a global buzz around the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ganga Ghat work, and the longest river cruise. Over seven crore (70 million) tourists visited Kashi in just one year, he said. These tourists are creating new economic opportunities and employment in the city, the Prime Minister said.
He also highlighted the new development projects related to tourism and the beautification of the city.
“Be it roads, bridges, railways or airports, the connectivity to Varanasi has completely eased,” the Prime Minister said as he pointed out that the new ropeway project will take the connectivity in the city to a new level.
He noted that it will boost facilities in the city along with creating a new attraction for tourists.
The distance between Varanasi Cantt railway station and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor will be covered within minutes after completion of the ropeway while easing traffic congestion in areas between Cantt Station and Godowlia.
Modi referred to people coming from adjoining cities and states who will be able to take a tour of the city in a short time frame. He emphasised modern facilities for the ropeway will create a new centre for economic activities.
Modi also talked about the new ATC (air traffic control) tower at Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport here as a step towards strengthening the air connectivity with Kashi.
He touched upon the development of floating jetty and underlined that the main focus point has been the needs of pilgrims and tourists.
“Everyone has witnessed the transforming landscape of the Ganga Ghats in the past nine years,” he remarked.
A new environmental campaign is underway on both sides of the Ganga where the government is promoting natural farming along a five-kilometre stretch, he said.
He expressed happiness that along with Varanasi, the entire eastern Uttar Pradesh is turning into a hub of agriculture and agri-exports.
PM Modi said processing, transportation and storage facilities here were giving new impetus to export of the ‘langda’ mango of Varanasi, ‘bhindi’ (ladyfinger) and ‘hari’ mirch (green chillis) of Ghazipur, Jaunpur’s mooli (radish) and ‘kharbooje’ (musk melon) to international markets.
Modi said that even though the people may call him the ‘Pradhan Mantri’, he holds the belief that he is here only to serve the people.
He also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes earlier in the day.
“Be it a small farmer, businessman or women self-help groups, getting a loan has become very easy through the Mudra Yojna,” the Prime Minister said. He also noted that cattle and fish breeders have been given Kisan Credit Cards, street vendors have started receiving loans via the PM Svanidhi Yojna, and the PM-Vishwakarma Yojna has been introduced for the Vishwakarmas of India.
“The government strives that every citizen contributes and none are left behind during the development journey of India in the Amrit Kaal,” he said.
Modi interacted with the winners of the Khelo Banaras competition where a lakh (100,000) athletes participated. He congratulated the participants and the winners. He mentioned new sporting facilities for the youth of Varanasi. The foundation stone for the Phase 2 and 3 expansion of Sigra Stadium was laid on Friday. He also said an international cricket stadium was going to come up in Varanasi.