PM Modi today launched seven schemes in Varanasi.
With an aim of boosting development in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched seven schemes at the total cost of Rs 5000 crore amid his assertion that his government believes in timely completion of projects.
The schemes launched included "Urja Ganga", an ambitious gas pipeline project which will bring piped cooking fuel to residents of this ancient temple town besides catering to millions of consumers in neighbouring states. Other programmes launched were expansion of Diesel Locomotive Works, dedication of 765/400 KV GIS Varanasi Power Sub-station and inauguration of Varanasi Postal Region.
PM Modi also laid foundation stone for second line and electrification of Allahabad-Varanasi rail line and unveiled setting up of perishable cargo centre at Rajatalab Railway Station.
Speaking at the occasion, he said his government has focused on timely completion of projects and has worked towards ensuring that not only are foundations laid, but projects are also inaugurated on time.
He said the real aim of government initiatives is proper execution and touching people's lives.
"In a way, projects worth Rs 5,000 crore are being dedicated to Kashi," the Prime Minister said. According to information made available by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, "Urja Ganga is a 2540-km-long gas pipeline which will ensure supply of clean and eco- friendly fuel to at least seven major cities - Varanasi, Patna, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack".
"The project, which is likely to be completed by 2020, will also help revival of a number of moribund fertilizer manufacturing units.
"Besides bringing piped natural gas to millions of households, the project will also enable at least half a million vehicles to switch over to CNG mode, which will go a long way in development of smart cities", the Ministry said.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for doubling and electrification of 120-km-long Varanasi-Madhosingh-Allahabad railway line involving an expenditure of Rs 750.66 crore.
He also dedicated to the nation an expansion project of the Diesel Locomotive Works, which had commenced in 2014, months after he became the Prime Minister.
He felicitated select beneficiaries of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and handed over LPG connections to select Ujjwala beneficiaries. He also released a commemorative postage stamp on Varanasi City.
PM Modi spoke about environment friendly initiatives, and the government's new vision for the Indian Railways, which can emerge as a growth engine for the economy.
"Usually a work started by one regime sees the light of the day much after a change of guard. Ours is a government which believes in completing projects in time and leaving little scope for cost escalation," the Prime Minister said.
Releasing a commemorative stamp dedicated to Varanasi, PM Modi urged the people of the city to make sure that they used it whenever they sent a dispatch and claimed "this will go a long way in promoting tourism in this ancient town, which is already famous across the world for its cultural heritage, especially its music".
He also inaugurated the Varanasi Postal Region, dedicated a 765/400 KV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) power station based in the city, and laid the foundation stone for a perishable cargo centre developed by CONCOR.
Speaking barely a couple of hours after a rally in Mahoba, where he had decried the custom of triple Talaq, PM Modi also gave away passbooks to five girls, aged one to five years, under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
He also felicitated pradhans of two villages where bank accounts of more than 400 persons had been opened, enabling them to avail of the various welfare schemes undertaken by his government.
This was PM Modi's eighth tour of his Parliamentary constituency since he assumed office in May, 2016. Four of these have taken place this year itself.
BJP, which had shown a spectacular performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls by bagging 73 out of 80 seats, is now aiming at capturing power in Uttar Pradesh in the next Assembly polls slated early next year.