Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six-lane widening project of the Varanasi – Prayagraj section of NH-19 on Monday in Varanasi. After this Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the occasion of Dev Deepawali.
They travelled from Domari Ghat to Lalita Ghat on a boat to reach the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
In Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi reviewed the ongoing construction work in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project.
After visiting the Vishwanath Temple, Modi reached Rajghat by Alaknanda Roro vehicle.
Here, as soon as the lamp was lit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lakhs of diyas placed on the banks of the Ganges sparkled.
This is the 23rd Kashi visit of PM Modi. Although he has come to Kashi for the first time on Dev Deepawali.
PM Modi greets Kashi on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepawali with ‘Har Har Mahadev’. PM Modi praises the history and culture of Kashi. He also congratulated the people of Varanasi on the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Tunnel. PM reiterated the good news given on ‘Mann Ki Baat’ about the return of the idol of ‘Maa Annapurna’ which was stolen long back from India.
“Statue of Maa Annapurna’s statue which was stolen from India over 100 years ago is coming back to India. This is a fortunate moment for Kashi. If this effort had been done earlier, many such statues would have been brought back to India. However, some people’s thinking is different. For us, inheritance means heritage. For some inheritance means their own family,” said PM Modi.
PM Narendra Modi also inaugurated the website of Pawan Path (http://pawanpathvaranasi.in ) which is prepared by Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department. Pawan Path is a circuit of prominent temples in Varanasi with Kashi Vishwanath temple as the centre point. It includes 100+ prominent temples of the holy city which are still unexplored. This circuit has been developed with the aim to showcase such ancient temples and its mythological importance in order to promote the true colour of the sacred city and epitome of rich Indian culture and faith that has been unveiled.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, “We are now seeing the outcome of the work of connectivity alongwith the beautification of Kashi done in the past.
He added that the unprecedented work has been done on new highways, pull-flyovers, widening of roads to reduce traffic jams in and around Varanasi.
While inaugurating the six-lane widening project, Prime Minister Modi said Varanasi is getting better infrastructure on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali and this will benefit both Varanasi and Prayagraj.
Connecting the development project to religious relevance, the PM said that “the widening of this highway has made it easier to travel between Kashi and Prayagraj. The problems faced by Kanwariyas during the Kanwar Yatra will be over with this project. Its benefits will also be available during “Kumbh,” he said.
“Just as river Ganga flows in this city of Kashi magnificently, development will also continue here for years to come, I take this promise with me as I go back to Delhi,” says PM Modi as he signs off with ‘Har Har Mahadev’ chant.