PM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various development projects in Varanasi
Today Kashi is becoming a hub of health facilities for the entire Purvanchal: PM Modi
PM Modi requests people to promote 'Local for Diwali' in addition to 'vocal for local', says buying local products will strengthen local economy

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Varanasi today through video conference. The Prime Minister today launched 16 schemes worth Rs 220 crore and informed that the work has already begun on 14 schemes worth Rs 400 crore in Varanasi.
The projects inaugurated today include Sarnath Light and Sound show, upgradation of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital Ramnagar, sewerage related works, infrastructure facilities for protection and conservation of cows, multipurpose seed storehouse, agriculture produce warehouse of 100 MT, IPDS phase 2, a housing complex for players in Sampurnanand Stadium, Varanasi city smart lighting work, along with 105 Anganwadi Kendras and 102 Gau Ashray Kendras.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said tourism is also a part of the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi. He said this development in itself is an example of how Varanasi has gained the pace of development in every field like cleanliness of River Ganges, health services, road, infrastructure, tourism, electricity, youth, sports, farmer, etc. He announced that today, renovation of sewage treatment plant project under Ganga Action Plan has been completed. He listed the infrastructure works carried out in Varanasi like Ghats being decorated, introduction of CNG to reduce pollution, Tourist Plaza at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The Prime Minister said these efforts towards River Ganga are also the resolve for Kashi and the path of new opportunities for Kashi. Gradually, the situation of the ghats here is improving. He said along with the cleanliness and beautification of Ganga Ghats, Sarnath is also getting a new look. He added that the light and sound programme launched today will increase the grandeur of Sarnath.

The Prime Minister announced that today, a large part of ​​Kashi is also being freed from the problem of hanging electric wires. Another phase of laying the wires underground is completed today. He said in addition, Smart LED lights will lighten and beautify the streets.

The Prime Minister stressed that the connectivity of Varanasi has always been a top priority of the Government. He said new infrastructure is being constructed so that the people of Kashi and the tourists don't waste their time in traffic jams. He remarked the road connecting Babatpur to the city has also become a new identity of Varanasi. He termed the launch of two Passenger Boarding Bridges in Varanasi airport as necessary, since six years ago, Varanasi airport used to handle 12 flights daily which has now become 48 flights a day. He said modern infrastructure is being made in Varansi to make life easier for both the people who live here and who visit here. He listed the road infrastructure works carried out in the city of Varanasi.

The Prime Minister said for the last 6 years, unprecedented work has also been done on health infrastructure in Varanasi. Today not only UP, but in a way, it is becoming a hub of health facilities for the entire Purvanchal. He listed the health infrastructure done in the Varanasi area like modernization of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Ramnagar, etc.

The Prime Minister remarked that all-round development is happening in Varanasi today, and is benefiting the entire eastern India including Purvanchal. He said now the people of Purvanchal do not have to go to Delhi and Mumbai even for small needs.

The Prime Minister said for the farmers of Varanasi and Purvanchal, many facilities ranging from storage to transport have been created here like the center of the International Rice Institute, Milk Processing Plant, Construction of Perishable Cargo Center, etc. He said farmers are benefiting a lot from such facilities. He expressed happiness that for the first time this year, fruits, vegetables and paddy from the Varanasi region, have been exported abroad. He said a godown with storage capacity of 100 MT launched today will expand the storage facilities for farmers in Kashi. He said the multi-purpose Seed warehouse and dissemination Center has been launched in Jansa.

The Prime Minister said the village poor and the farmers are the biggest pillars of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat campaign and the biggest beneficiaries too. He said the recent agricultural reforms are going to directly benefit the farmers. He said today, under the Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana, the street vendors are getting easy loans, so that they can resume their work after the pandemic.

The Prime Minister said to provide legal rights to the people living in the village on their lands and houses, ‘Swamitva Yojana’ has been launched. He said after the issuance of property cards under this scheme, their scope for property disputes will not remain in the villages. He added now it will be easy to get a loan from the bank on the village house or land.

The Prime Minister wished the people on Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj and urged them to promote Local for Diwali a lot and also to proudly propogate great local goods and said this will strengthen the local identity.

 

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Cabinet approves Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore
March 25, 2026

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the launch and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN for a period of ten years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore with the budgetary support of the Government of India.

Impact:

  • Enhanced regional air connectivity to underserved and unserved areas
  • Boost to economic growth, trade and tourism in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • Support affordable air travel for common citizens.
  • Improved emergency response and healthcare access in remote and hilly regions.
  • Greater viability and sustainability for regional aerodromes and airline operators.
  • Promotion of the indigenous aerospace sector under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

  • Progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.

The key components of the scheme are as under:

(a) Development of Aerodromes (CAPEX)

Under the Modified UDAN Scheme, it is proposed to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips to enhance regional connectivity, in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of infrastructure expansion and transforming India into a globally competitive aviation ecosystem with a total outlay of Rs.12,159 crore over the next eight years.

(b) Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Aerodromes

Given the high recurring O&M costs and limited revenue streams for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-only aerodromes, the Scheme proposes to provide O&M support for three years capped at Rs.3.06 crore per annum per airport and Rs.0.90 crore per annum per heliport/water aerodrome, estimated at Rs.2,577 crore for around 441 aerodromes.

(c) Development of Modern Helipads

To address connectivity challenges in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions, the Scheme proposes developing 200 modern helipads at Rs.15 crore each, amounting to a total requirement of Rs.3,661 crore over the next eight years (inflation-adjusted), focused on priority and aspirational districts to improve last-mile connectivity and emergency response.

(d) Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, airline operators receive financial support in the form of VGF for operating awarded routes. Recognising the need for longer market development, VGF support to airline operators is proposed amounting to Rs.10,043 crore over 10 years.

(e) Atmanirbhar Bharat Aircraft Acquisition

To address the shortage of small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters required for operations in remote and difficult terrains and to advance the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the scheme also proposes to procure two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air.

Background:

The original UDAN Scheme was launched in October 2016 with the objective of making air travel affordable and strengthening connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Over nine years of implementation:

  • 663 routes have been operationalised across 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes (as on 28 February 2026).
  • More than 3.41 lakh flights have been operated, carrying 162.47 lakh passengers.
  • Connectivity has been established in remote, hilly and island regions, boosting tourism, healthcare access and emergency services.

  • The scheme has fostered growth in regional airlines and diverse fleet operations, laying a strong foundation for the Modified UDAN Scheme.