Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Khanna, who also serves as the minister in charge of Varanasi district, spoke on Saturday about the achievements of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past 12 years. He provided detailed information on public welfare and development schemes implemented in the region.
Smart Cities Initiative in Uttar Pradesh
Khanna stated that 10 Smart Cities were established in Uttar Pradesh, and following the same model, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transformed seven additional cities into Smart Cities. He emphasized the historic accomplishments in Varanasi district over the last 12 years, highlighting a cultural, spiritual, and religious resurgence of Kashi.
Kashi Vishwanath Dham Project
Through the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project, the abode of Baba Vishwanath was given a grand, divine, and world-class form. This development has allowed millions of devotees to have easy darshan and access to modern facilities.
Namami Gange Campaign
Under the Namami Gange campaign, comprehensive redevelopment, beautification, lighting arrangements, cleanliness, and environmental conservation of the Ganga ghats were ensured. The five major halting points of the Panchkoshi Parikrama Path—Kardameshwar, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur, and Kapildhara—underwent comprehensive development. Approximately Rs 97 crore was spent on widening the Panchkoshi route, and around Rs 39.3 crore was allocated for religious and tourism development. A total of 42 dharamshalas, ponds, ghats, and pilgrimage facilities were developed.
Tourism and Religious Sites
Crores of rupees were invested in the Buddha Theme Park in Sarnath, including a light and sound show, upgradation of tourist guest houses, development of the Sarangnath temple, and Buddhist tourism facilities. Conservation and development work was carried out at Sant Ravidas' birthplace Seergovardhan, Kaalbhairav temple, Kedareshwar, Omkareshwar, and other ancient religious sites. The Kashi Yatra app was created to provide devotees with a multilingual digital facility.
Infrastructure Development
Khanna noted that the construction of Ring Road, widening of national highways, four-lane roads, flyovers, railway overbridges, and connecting roads have completely transformed the traffic system of the district. Over the past 12 years, 536 major large projects related to roads, bridges, drinking water, sewerage, STP, education, health, energy, tourism, urban development, and police welfare, costing more than Rs 36,211 crore, have been completed and dedicated to the public. Additionally, construction work on various projects worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore is currently in progress.
