Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday (April 11, 2025). He addressed a public gathering and inaugurated and layed the foundation stones for 44 projects worth over ₹3,880 crore.

Among the projects Mr. Modi will inaugurate are schemes related to rural development, including 130 drinking water projects, 100 new Anganwadi centres, 356 libraries, a polytechnic college in Pindra, and a government degree college.

“Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over ₹ 3,880 crore in Varanasi. In line with his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly enhancing road connectivity in Varanasi, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various road projects in the region. Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over ₹980 crore,” reads a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The statement added, “Giving a boost to the electricity infrastructure, Prime Minister will inaugurate two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines of Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division worth over ₹1,045 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of a 220 KV transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, a 132 KV transmission substation in Ghazipur and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over ₹775 crore,”.

Mr. Modi will inaugurate a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Ramnagar Campus, aimed to improve facilities for the security personnel. He will also lay the foundation stone of new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line.

He will also inaugurate the redevelopment of Ghats at Ganga River. “Prime Minister will also inaugurate the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat at Ganga River, 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth over ₹345 crore, improvement of six municipal wards of Varanasi and landscaping and sculpture installations at various sites of Varanasi,” the official statement added.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will also hand over Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to first-time benefitting senior citizens over 70 years.

PM Modi takes dig at opposition parties, says they only promote family interests

In a swipe at opposition parties, PM Modi said those hankering for power focus solely on promoting their own families, while his Government works on the theme of inclusive development.

Addressing a gathering in Varanasi, he said, “Our guiding mantra in serving the nation has always been ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. With this spirit, we continue to move forward for the betterment of every citizen”.

He said in contrast, those who are power hungry play political games day and night, driven not by national interest but by a single-minded focus on family-based support and family-centric development.

“Those who play games day and night only to grab power, their principle is ‘parivar ka saath parivar ka vikas’ (family support, family development),” the Prime Minister said in his Parliamentary constituency.

Elaborating on the development witnessed in his constituency, he said earlier Purvanchal lacked health facilities, but today Kashi is becoming the health capital. “Today India is moving ahead with both development and heritage together and our Kashi is becoming the best model for this,” he said, adding, “The soul of India resides in its diversity and Kashi is its most beautiful picture”.

PM Modi also said that his Government is working to ensure that the 2036 Olympics take place in India.

PM Modi asks officials to take strict action in gang-rape case

Immediately after landing in Varanasi, the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing by the police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the alleged gang-rape of a young woman in his constituency and asked officials to take the strictest possible action against those involved,” according to a Uttar Pradesh Government statement.

“He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” it said.

The case involves the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman by 23 individuals over six days. According to police, the accused drugged the victim and moved her between several hotels for the duration of the abuse. As of Monday (April 7, 2025), six of the accused had been arrested.