Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Sunday. During his visit on December 17 and 18, he launched several development projects worth Rs 19,150 crore.
He flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kanyakumari and Varanasi.
"All the people of the country associated with the government, politics and social work are giving their time to make this Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra a success. So as the MP of Varanasi, I also had a responsibility that I should also give time to this program", said PM Modi.
PM Modi addresses event
PM Modi addressed the event and welcomed the participants calling them as his family. In a unique development, PM Modi's speech at Kashi Tamil Sangamam, simultaneous Artificial Intelligence based Tamil translation was done through Bhashini for those in the audience who understood Tamil.
"You all have come here as members of my family more than being just guests. I welcome you all to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam," PM Modi said.
He described the bond between the people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi as special and said that travelling from Varanasi to Tamil Nadu is going from "Mahadev's one home to another".
"Going to Varanasi from Tamil Nadu means going from Mahadev's one home to another. That's why the bond between people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi is special," he said.
The Prime Minister also recalled the Sengol, which was installed in the new Parliament building, and said that it was brought to the Parliament from Tamil Nadu.
"Kashi cannot be destroyed"
The Prime Minister quoted King Pandiyan and said that Kashi cannot be destroyed despite various attacks by invaders in the past.
"When the centers of our faith, Kashi, were being attacked by invaders, King Parakram Pandiyan built temples in Tenkasi and Shivakasi saying that Kashi cannot be destroyed," he said.
"If you look at any civilization of the world, you will hardly find such a simple and superior form of intimacy in diversity anywhere. Even recently, during the G-20 Summit, the world was amazed to see this diversity of India," PM Modi added.
He said that India as a nation is made up of spiritual beliefs, unlike other countries in the world which have a political definition.
"In other countries of the world, nation has been a political definition, but India as a nation is made up of spiritual beliefs. India has been united by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya, who awakened the national consciousness of India through their travels," he said.
CM Yogi welcomes PM Modi:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday welcomed PM Modi for his Varanasi visit.
"Hearty welcome and greetings from the 25 crore people of the state to the 'architect' of new India, respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji! During his two-day stay in the holy city of Baba Shri Vishwanath, the Prime Minister is inaugurating the second edition of 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' which is deepening the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat'," Yogi posted on X.
Launching of Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangam Train'
He said the PM, apart from launching the 'Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangam Train', will also gift many projects for the all-round development of Varanasi and surrounding areas.
PM Modi attends Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:
PM participated in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra on December 17. At around 6:00 pm, he inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat.
On December 18, the Prime Minister will visit the Swaraveda Mahamandir at around 10.45 am. At around 1 pm, Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
Subsequently, in a public ceremony, around 2.15 pm, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects worth more than Rs 19,150 crore.
PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat train
The Prime Minister will flag off Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train, Dohrighat-Mau MEMU train and a pair of Long Haul goods trains at the newly inaugurated Dedicated Freight Corridor. He will also flag off the 10,000th locomotive made by Banaras Locomotive Works.
"A new Vande Bharat train will be flagged off by PM Modi on December 18. The regular timings of this train are yet to be announced, an official notification in this regard is expected to come in a couple of days," said Gaurav Dixit, Varanasi Cantt Railway Station Director.
Other projects that will be launched by the PM
- Prime Minister will inaugurate New Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar-New Bhaupur Dedicated Freight Corridor Project built at a cost of around Rs. 10,900 crore. Other railway projects which will be inaugurated include Ballia-Ghazipur City rail line doubling project; Indara-Dohrighat rail line gauge conversion project, among others.
- Prime Minister will inaugurate green-field Shivpur-Phulwaria-Lahartara road along with two ROBs at a cost of more than Rs 370 crore. It will ease the traffic moment between north and south part of Varanasi city and will enhance visitors convenience. Further key projects to be inaugurated by Prime Minister include strengthening and widening of 20 roads; Sangam Ghat road in Kaithi village and construction of residential buildings in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital.
- Additionally, to cater the housing needs of police personnel, two 200 and 150 bed multi-storey barrack buildings in Police line and PAC Bhullanpur, smart bus shelters built at 9 locations and 132 KW substation built at Alaipur will also be inaugurated by Prime Minister.
- Under the Smart City Mission, a website for detailed tourist information and the Unified Tourist Pass System will be launched by Prime Minister. The unified pass will provide single platform ticket booking for Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ganga Cruise, and Sarnath's light and sound show, offering integrated QR code services.
- Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of various projects worth more than Rs. 6500 crore. In order to increase the production of non-renewable energy resources, Prime Minister will lay the foundation of an 800 MW solar park in Chitrakoot district at a cost of around Rs. 4000 crore. To augment the petroleum supply chain, he will lay the foundation of the construction of a new petroleum oil terminal at Mirzapur to be built at a cost of over Rs. 1050 crore.
- Other projects whose foundation stone will be laid by Prime Minister include widening of Varanasi-Bhadohi NH 731 B (Package-2) at a cost of over Rs. 900 crore; 69 rural drinking water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission at a cost of Rs. 280 Crore; construction of 150 bed capacity Critical Care Unit in BHU Trauma Center; redevelopment work of 8 Ganga Ghats, construction work of Divyang residential secondary school among others.
