Narendra Modi Varanasi visit Updates: PM offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked up a 'trishul' and greeted the public while holding it in his hand after offering prayers at the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on Saturday. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath stood beside PM Modi during the moment and people cheered both leaders. Notably, Trishul is a weapon of the Hindu God Lord Shiva. Dig Deeper

Narendra Modi's Varanasi visit LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on Saturday. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath was also present beside PM Modi during the auspicious ceremony.

Narendra Modi's Varanasi visit LIVE: PM Modi has reached Kashi Vishwanath Temple along with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation of projects worth ₹8,534 crore in Tripura, including an integrated check-post at Sabroom along the India-Bangladesh border.

The projects inaugurated by the PM include the ₹250-cr ICP and tap water connection to 1.46 lakh people of the state at ₹732.98 crore. (PTI)

Narendra Modi's Bengal visit LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the development of eastern India was ignored for a long time after independence. He emphasised that current government considers eastern India as the growth engine of the country's development.

"After independence, the development of Eastern India was ignored for a long time. Whereas our government considers Eastern India as the growth engine of the country's development. Therefore, unprecedented investment is being made in the connectivity sector in this area. Before 2014, the average railway budget of Bengal was around ₹4,000 crore which has now reached almost ₹14,000 crore. Siliguri is also among the 500 stations that are being renovated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme," PM Modi said as quoted by news agency ANI.

"Today, two road projects costing more than ₹3,000 crore have been inaugurated in North Bengal. This will reduce the problem of traffic jams. Tourism, industry and tea farmers in this entire area will also benefit. The Central Government is making every possible effort from its side for the development of West Bengal," he added.

"Farmers' development is also our priority. Two days ago, BJP-led central government has taken a big decision for jute farmers. Support price for jute has been increased by ₹285 per quintal. This will benefit lakhs of jute farmers in West Bengal and northeast," said PM Modi.

"BJP has clear roadmap for the development of north Bengal. We are encouraging trade related to tea, tourism and timber. For this, we are developing necessary facilities," said PM Modi.

"Anti-poor TMC government is not implementing Ayushman Bharat Yojana. TMC government is looting you at every step. Modi sends money for MGNREGA but TMC government has created 25 lakh fake job cards for people," said PM Modi.

"INDIA alliance of the TMC, Congress and the Left is opposing scheme of free ration to you (people). In Bengal, corrupt TMC government has done scam in your free ration benefit. Their ministers are in jail due to ration scam," said PM Modi.

"TMC government ignored you (people of Siliguri). They were busy in occupying land of the poor," said PM Modi.

While addressing a public gathering in West Bengal's Siliguri on Saturday, PM Modi said: " Everytime I come here, I get a glimpse of mini Bharat. Diversity and vibrancy akin to this area is seen in very less parts of India."

"For the development of north Bengal, central government is putting its best efforts. Once again, I congratulate you all(people) for the development projects," said PM Modi.

"Our government's efforts is to increase speed of trains in north Bengal like it is being enhanced in rest of the country. Now, rail connectivity from north Bengal to Bangladesh has also been started," said PM Modi.

Narendra Modi's Bengal visit LIVE: While addressing a gathering at Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal programme in Siliguri, PM Modi said: "North Bengal is gateway to the northeast. From here, trade routes to neighbouring countries also run through. So in these 10 years, Bengal and especially north Bengal's development has been the priority of our government."

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Adhir Chowdhury on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to the state for poll campaigns, suggesting that if he was confident about BJP's growing support, such repeated trips wouldn't be necessary, reported news agency PTI.

On March 1 and 6, PM Modi had visited southern parts of Bengal . In a rally in Barasat near Kolkata, he criticised the ruling TMC government over the Sandeshkhali issue in West Bengal.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: Prime Minister will participate in the Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal program in Siliguri.

• He will inaugurate and dedicate multiple developmental projects in the rail and road sectors worth over Rs. 4,500 crores.

• The projects include the electrification of rail lines benefiting North Bengal and nearby regions, such as Eklakhi - Balurghat section, Barsoi - Radhikapur section, and others.

• Other railway projects to be dedicated include a doubling of the railway line in the Manigram - Nimtita section and automatic block signalling in Ambari Falakata - Aluabari.

• A new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur will be flagged off.

• Two National Highway projects worth Rs. 3,100 crores will also be inaugurated, including the Ghospukur - Dhupguri Section and the Islampur Bypass on NH 27.

• The Ghospukur - Dhupguri Section is part of the North-South transport corridor, enhancing connectivity between Eastern India and the rest of the country.

• The Islampur Bypass will alleviate traffic congestion in Islampur town and promote industrial and economic growth in the region.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his trip to Assam where he inaugurated multiple developmental projects, visited the state's tea gardens, saying, “Assam Tea has made its way all over the world.”

“Assam is known for its splendid tea gardens, and Assam Tea has made its way all over the world. I would like to laud the remarkable tea garden community, which is working hard and enhancing Assam’s prestige all over the world. I also urge tourists to visit these tea gardens during their visits to the state,” Modi wrote on X.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: While addressing a rally in Assam's Jorhat on Saturday, PM Modi said that the double-engine government was working at a great speed for the development of the state.

"The double-engine government is working at a great speed for the development of Assam. Assam has shown unprecedented pace in the infrastructure, health, and energy sectors," said PM Modi as quoted by news agency ANI.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering in Assam's Jorhat, says, "The development of Northeast is necessary for fulfilling the resolution of 'Viksit Bharat'...Congress laid the foundation stone of projects, got their pictures clicked, misled the people, and ran away. But Modi considers the entire Northeast as his family..."

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his visit to Arunachal Pradesh to launch multiple developmental projects, including the “Sela Tunnel,” took to X to share his experience.

“Returning to Arunachal Pradesh is always special. The breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warmth of its people never fail to inspire. The welcome in Itanagar was very memorable!” Modi said.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: The Congress took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Assam's Kaziranga National Park on Satuday, suggesting that the renowned national park owes its success to the significant interest displayed by both Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

"We're glad that the Prime Minister has found time amidst his various travels to spend today morning in Kaziranga, an iconic national park, which owes much to the great interest shown both by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. However, beyond Kaziranga, here are four questions for him on the increasingly disturbed situation in different parts of the northeast of India," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media platform X today.

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: In Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “From Independence till 2014, around 10,000 km of National Highway was constructed in the Northeast...However, in the last 10 years, more than 6,000 km of National Highway has been constructed in the Northeast. I completed the work of seven decades in just one.”

Narendra Modi visit LIVE updates: PM Modi slammed the Congress party in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh today, saying that it had neglected the border villages during its term.

“Congress had neglected the border villages and termed it the last village. But for me, this is the first village and so we started the Vibrant Village Programme,” he said.