Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at previous governments for neglecting eastern Uttar Pradesh and said Kashi's identity has for long been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but it will now emerge as a big centre of healthcare. The prime minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in his Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.
Reciting the Sanskrit couplet "Tamaso ma jyotirgamay (lead me from darkness to light)", Modi also said that he was feeling "blessed" to be back in Varanasi again. "For a long time, Kashi's identity has been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but now, it is also set to emerge as a big centre of healthcare with various top-of-the-line health treatment facilities now available in Varanasi," the prime minister said.
"In the last 10 years, 25 crore people have emerged from poverty and that is why, our government is paying special attention to ensure people remain healthy," he said after inaugurating the eye hospital.
"RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is a blend of spirituality and modernity. It will serve the elderly as well as the kids while providing employment to the youth..." said Prime Minister Modi during the event.
"Kashi has been known as the capital of religion and culture since time immemorial. Now, Kashi is also becoming a major healthcare hub and medical centre of UP's Purvanchal region. Be it the trauma centre in BHU, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, or the establishment of medical colleges, the past 10 years have witnessed major healthcare reforms in Kashi," he said.
Projects linked to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
In line with his commitment to boost connectivity, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the expansion of the airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and allied works of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi worth around Rs 2870 crore.
PM to launch several projects of the aviation sector
He will also lay the foundation stone of New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport worth more than Rs 570 crore, at Darbhanga Airport worth around Rs 910 crore and at Bagdogra Airport worth around Rs 1550 crore.
The PM will inaugurate new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport worth over Rs 220 crore. The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to more than 2.3 crore passengers annually. The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of the region.
Redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex
In line with his vision to provide top-quality infrastructure for sports, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under the Khelo India scheme and the Smart City Mission. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science centre, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges, and combat sports arenas among others.
He will also inaugurate 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.
Projects related to tourism to be launched
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate tourism development works of Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath. These enhancements include the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage systems, and organised vending zone with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors, among others. He will also inaugurate multiple other initiatives like tourism development works at Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple, beautification and redevelopment of parks etc.
