Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 51st visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, becoming the first Prime Minister in Indian history to do so. Amidst the sacred aura of Sawan and the divine ambience of Kashi, PM Modi unveiled a flurry of major schemes and development projects aimed at empowering farmers and transforming the region’s infrastructure and tourism landscape.
At the heart of the event was the grand ‘Kisan Utsav’, where PM Modi released the 20th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, transferring over Rs 20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of 9.7 crore farmers across the country. With this disbursement, the total amount distributed under the scheme has crossed Rs 3.90 lakh crore since its launch in February 2019.
“Operation Sindoor was that moment of valour of our soldiers, and today is an opportunity to salute our farmers. This is a massive Kisan Utsav. Rs 21,000 crore has been sent to over 10 crore farmer brothers and sisters across the nation. And when money goes from Kashi, it automatically becomes Prasad!” PM Modi said, drawing loud cheers from thousands of farmers gathered at the venue.
The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in 2019, provides Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments to land-holding farmers through Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme aims to ease financial stress and support the livelihood of the country’s agricultural backbone.
Alongside the farmer-centric initiative, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 2,200 crore. These include major road, power, and tourism projects aimed at positioning Varanasi as a global confluence of heritage and modernity.
Key highlights include:
Inauguration of widening and strengthening of the Varanasi–Bhadohi road, Chhitauni–Shool Tankeshwar road, and a railway overbridge at Hardattpur to reduce traffic congestion on the Mohan Sarai–Adalpura route.
Foundation stones laid for comprehensive road expansion in both rural and urban areas — including corridors at Dalmandi, Lahartara-Kotwa, Gangapur, and Babatpur, as well as railway overbridges at Level Crossing 22C and Khalispur Yard. Power infrastructure upgrades worth over Rs 880 crore under the Smart Distribution Project, including undergrounding of electrical networks to strengthen Varanasi’s energy grid.
In the realm of spiritual tourism and cultural revival, the Prime Minister inaugurated:
- Redevelopment of eight riverfront Kuccha Ghats, and Kalika Dham.
- Beautification of the Rangildas Kutiya Ghat, and restoration and water purification of Durgakund.
- Foundation stone for Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple restoration, and development of Karkhiyaon, the birthplace of several freedom fighters.
- City Facility Centres at Sarnath, Rishi Mandvi, and Ramnagar Zones.
- Redevelopment of Munshi Premchand’s ancestral house in Lamahi, and upgradation of the associated museum.
- Initiatives for an Urban Miyawaki Forest at Kanchanpur, and revitalisation of Shaheed Udyan and 21 other parks.
Reflecting on the transformation of Varanasi over the past decade, PM Modi described Kashi as an “eternal soul with global intimacy.” He said the city has emerged as a symbol of the fusion between spirituality and modernity, drawing tourists, pilgrims, and investors from around the world.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who accompanied the Prime Minister, said it was a matter of great pride and fortune that “the Prime Minister of the nation represents the indestructible Kashi in Parliament.”
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