PM Narendra Modi flags off Mahamana Express, 17 projects in Varanasi

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated 17 projects in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and `digitally` laid the foundation stone of six other projects.

On his two-day visit to the temple town, Modi also flagged off the Vadodara-Varanasi weekly express, which is equipped with LED screens and new, environment friendly toilets.

The Prime Minister also launched the service of four water ambulances and four hearse carrying boats. He inaugurated the Trade Facilitation Centre, named after BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and two bridges in the city which had been hanging fire for several years.

In his address, the Prime Minister said these bridges would not only enable easy commuting for people but also spur economic activity. 

He thanked UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for fast-tracking development projects in the parliamentary constituency.

"Yogi had pledged to take up developmental projects and he is already pushing them," he said as the crowd cheered him. 

Taking a dig at previous governments in the state, he said they seemed to have an antipathy for development. They were only busy splurging public money for electoral benefits, he added. 

He also pointed out that the poor were now aspiring to give their next generations a better future and assured that the state government was with them in empowering them for this. 

He lauded Adityanath for the work he has done in the past six months. 

The UP Chief Minister in his address welcomed the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of the state and said that Varanasi was fortunate to have a "progressive person like Modi" as its representative in parliament.

The Prime Minister also launched a postage stamp based on 'Ramayana' in Varanasi and said that stamps are a wonderful way to preserve history. "Stamps have a special place in society. They are a wonderful way to preserve our history," he said.

"There have been many stamps on Lord Ram, but this is the first of its kind stamp, which depicts different aspects of his life. This has not been done in the past. I am happy that I have got the opportunity to do this from the holy soil of Manas," he said.

Modi also stressed how the life and ideals of Lord Rama continue to inspire everyone, according to the statement.

Later, he along with UP CM Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik visited two famous temples - Tulsi Manas and Durga Mata and offered prayers.

Prime Minister Modi will be launching a number of projects including infrastructure, railways, financial inclusion and sanitation in the coming days in the state.

Apart from attending inauguration ceremonies, he will also address public meetings and hold an interaction with Muslim women.