Development Projects in Varanasi

• 14 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. 

• These projects include development works related to various sectors. 

Key Points 

• About the Projects: 
  • Laid the foundation stone of road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih and highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at Varanasi International Airport. 
  • Improving the power infrastructure, inaugurated two 400 Kilo-Volt (kV) and one 220 Kilo-Volt (kV) transmission substations in Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division. 
  • Rural education was improved with the addition of libraries and Anganwadi centres, and the foundation was laid to upgrade primary schools under the Smart City Mission. 
  • PM announced the creation of an Ekta Mall, a space where diverse crafts and products from across India will be showcased under one roof in Kashi. 
  • More than ₹105 crore in bonuses were given to livestock-rearing families, mostly women. These women are now known as “Lakhpati Didis”. 
  • PM Modi also gave Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens, ensuring free healthcare for everyone above 70, no matter their income. 
    • Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, many families in Uttar Pradesh have received free medical treatment.  
• Objective: 
  • These projects will accelerate economic activities in Varanasi and the surrounding Purvanchal region. 
  • These projects aim to improve the infrastructure in Varanasi and surrounding areas, which will not only improve the quality of life of common citizens but will also boost business, tourism and cultural heritage. 

Note: Over 30 local products from Varanasi and surrounding districts now carry the prestigious GI (Geographical Indication) tag, including the famous thandai, red stuffed chilli, tiranga barfi and even Jaunpur’s imarti and Pilibhit’s flute. 

Varanasi 

• Introduction 
  • Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is a major and historical city of Uttar Pradesh 
  • This city is situated on the banks of River Ganga and is considered a very sacred and important pilgrimage site in Hinduism. 
  • The name Varanasi is derived from the names of two local rivers, Varuna River and Asi River. These rivers join the Ganges River from the north and south respectively. 
  • It is also a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Jains.
    • Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath (Banaras). 
  • Varanasi is revered in Hinduism as an " Avimukta Kshetra ", where the soul attains liberation after dying. 
  • Varanasi is addressed with adjectives such as "City of Temples", "City of Lights", "City of Knowledge". 
  • The city is the centre of the Banaras Gharana of Hindustani classical music.  
    • Prominent musicians and artists from here include Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Girija Devi. 
• Education and Universities: 
  • There are four major universities in Varanasi:  
    • Banaras Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. 
• Tourist Places: 
  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple 
  • Bharat Mata Mandir  
  • Sarnath 
  • Assi Ghat