The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated, or laid the foundation stone of important projects, cumulatively worth over Rs. 900 crore, in Varanasi. Among the projects inaugurated are the Varanasi City Gas Distribution Project, and the Varanasi-Ballia MEMU train. The foundation stone was laid for the PanchkoshiParikrama Marg, and several projects under the Smart City Mission and NamaamiGange. The Prime Minister also laid the Foundation Stone for an International Convention Centre in Varanasi.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Prime Minister began by congratulating the young athleteHima Das for winning the gold medal in the 400 meters event in the Under 20 World Athletics Championship.
The Prime Minister said that for the last four years, efforts are being made to develop the city of Kashi in accordance with the requirements of the 21st century, keeping its ancient identity intact. He said a New Banaras - a blend of spirituality and modernity - is being developed, for a New India.
He said a glimpse of this new Banaras is now visible all around. He said significant investment has been made in Varanasi over the last four years. He said that the projects worth nearly 1000 crore that were either inaugurated, or for which the Foundation Stone was laid today, is a part of this ongoing exercise.
The Prime Minister elaborated upon his vision of Transfornation through Transportation, and said the Foundation Stone of the Poorvanchal Expressway at Azamgarh today was part of the same exercise.
The Prime Minister said that Varanasi is emerging as a centre for medical science in the region. He said BHU will work with AIIMS to develop a world class health institute.
The Prime Minister spoke of initiatives taken for better connectivity in Varanasi and the region. He said Kashi is emerging as an important international tourist destination. In this context he mentioned the International Convention Centre, the Foundation Stone for which was laid today. He thanked the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, for this gift from Japan to the people of Varanasi. He appreciated the initiatives taken by the people and the State Government of Uttar Pradesh for tourism, and under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The Prime Minister mentioned the poor condition of roads and other infrastructure in Varanasi, four years ago. He said the waste of the city was going unchecked into the River Ganga. Today, he said, by contrast, efforts are underway to clean the Ganga from Gangotri till the ocean. He spoke of the various projects for sewage treatment. He said the fruits of all these efforts would become apparent in the future. He asserted that work is in full swing for an Integrated Command and Control Centre, that would make Varanasi a Smart City. He said the Smart City Initiative is not just a mission to improve infrastructure in cities, but also a mission to give India a new identity. He complimented the State Government for its Industrial Policy, and investment climate, and said the results of this have started to become evident. He mentioned the mobile manufacturing unit of Samsung, inaugurated recently in Noida. He said mobile manufacturing units are creating lakhs of jobs.
Speaking of the city gas distribution project, the Prime Minister said that 8000 houses in Varanasi have already received piped cooking gas connections. He also mentioned the use of CNG as fuel for public transport in the city.
The Prime Minister recalled how the city of Varanasi had welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and French President Emmanuel Macron. He said another occasion for Varanasi to showcase its hospitality was coming soon, with the PravasiBharatiya Divas in January 2019.
New India के लिए एक नए बनारस का निर्माण हो रहा है, जिसकी आत्मा तो पुरातन ही होगी लेकिन काया नवीनतम।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
जिसमें आध्यात्म भी होगा और आधुनिकता भी।
जहां के कण-कण में संस्कृति और संस्कार होंगे लेकिन व्यवस्थाएं स्मार्ट होगी।
बदलते हुए बनारस की ये तस्वीर अब चौतरफा दिखने लगी है: PM
सभास्थल के पास ही पेरिशेबल कार्गो केंद्र है जो अब बनकर तैयार है
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
इसका शिलान्यास भी मेरे द्वारा किया गया था और लोकार्पण का सौभाग्य भी मुझे मिला है
ये कार्गो सेंटर यहां के किसानों के लिए बड़ा वरदान साबित होने वाला है
अब फल-सब्जियों के सड़ने-गलने से नुकसान नहीं उठाना पड़ेगा: PM
देश और दुनिया से भोले के जो भक्त यहां काशी आते हैं उनको असुविधा ना हो इसकी व्यवस्था की जा रही है
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
आस्था और सांस्कृतिक महत्व के जितने भी स्थान काशी में हैं, उनको जोड़ने वाली दो दर्जन सड़कों को या तो सुधारा गया है या फिर नए सिरे से निर्माण किया गया है: PM
काशी की महानता, उसकी ऐतिहासिकता को बनाए रखने के लिए आप जो कर रहे हैं, वो अतुलनीय है
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
लेकिन हमें चार वर्ष पहले का वो समय भी नहीं भूलना चाहिए, जब वाराणसी की व्यवस्थाएं संकट में थीं
हर तरफ कचरा-गंदगी, खराब सड़कें, ओवरफ्लो होता सीवर, खंबों से लटकते तार, जाम से परेशान पूरा शहर: PM
बनारस ही नहीं बल्कि गंगोत्री से लेकर गंगा सागर तक एक साथ प्रयास चल रहे हैं।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
सिर्फ साफ सफाई ही नहीं, बल्कि शहरों की गंदगी गंगा में ना गिरे इसका भी प्रबंध किया जा रहा है।
इसके लिए अब तक लगभग 21 हजार करोड़ की 200 से अधिक परियोजनाओं को स्वीकृति दी जा चुकी है: PM
ये जो भी काम आज हो रहा है वो बनारस को Smart City में बदलने वाला है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
यहां Integrated Command और Control Centre पर तेज़ी से काम चल रहा है।
पूरे शहर के प्रशासन का, पब्लिक सुविधाओं का नियंत्रण यहीं से होने वाला है। ऐसे लगभग 10 प्रोजेक्ट्स पर आज काम चल रहा है: PM
Make in India के साथ-साथ Digital India भी रोज़गार का प्रभावी माध्यम सिद्ध हो रहा है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2018
इसी कड़ी में आज यहां पर TCS के BPO की शुरुआत हुई है।
ये केंद्र बनारस के युवाओं के लिए रोजगार के नए अवसर लेकर आएगा: PM
