New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 614 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi today and made a fervent appeal to people to promote ‘local for Diwali’ and buy local products this festival season, saying it will give a new boost to the economy.
The event, which was joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, marked the inauguration of 16 schemes worth over Rs 219 crore and the foundation of 14 projects worth over Rs 394 crore.
The projects 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.
Modi also laid the foundation stone of projects including the redevelopment of Dashashwamedh Ghat and Khidkiya Ghat, barracks for PAC police force, redevelopment of certain wards of Kashi, parking facility along with redevelopment of park in Beniya Bagh, upgradation of the multi-purpose hall in Girija Devi Sanskritik Sankul, repair work of roads in the city and development of tourist places.
In his address through video conferencing, PM Modi said that Varanasi is moving fast on the path of development and it never stopped getting Mahadev’s blessings. Kashi continued to advance even during the difficult times of coronavirus, he said.
Modi also said, “Buying local products will not only strengthen local identity but will also brighten up Diwali for those who make them.”
Extending festival greetings to the people, he said, “You are seeing today that along with vocal for local, the mantra of local for Diwali is resonating everywhere.”
The Prime Minister also spoke about agriculture reforms introduced by the government, saying they will connect farmers directly to the market and “send middlemen out of the system”.
“The agriculture reforms will give direct benefit to farmers. They will be directly connected to the market and the middleman will be out of the system. The farmers of Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) will also be benefitted from this,” he said.
PM also interacted with locals during the event through video conferencing.
Locals and party workers joined the event at six locations – the Circuit House, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Shultankeshwar Temple, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and Trade Facilitation Centre – in the city.
-CHK
