Kashi’s ₹3,880 Crore Development Projects Unveiled
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated a series of development projects in Kashi, totaling ₹3,880 crore, marking a significant step in the city’s modernization while preserving its rich heritage. The initiative aims to enhance infrastructure, upgrade educational facilities, and boost tourism in Varanasi. With a total investment of ₹48,459 crore allocated for 580 projects from 2014 to March 2025, Kashi is poised for a transformative journey that honors its historical roots.
Kashi’s Development Journey: Key Milestones
Kashi, known for its spiritual significance, is undergoing a remarkable transformation that blends tradition with modernity. The city is enhancing its tourism appeal through several key initiatives. Among these is the MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise, launched on January 13, 2023. This cruise begins in Varanasi and concludes in Dibrugarh, offering travelers a unique experience along the Ganges.
Another significant project is the Tent City, inaugurated on the same day, which provides a luxurious riverside accommodation option for tourists. This facility, operational from October to June, helps manage the increasing influx of visitors while offering a serene environment.
The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, inaugurated on December 13, 2021, is a transformative project that connects the Kashi Vishwanath Temple directly to the Ganges River. This ₹355-crore initiative spans 5.5 acres and enhances accessibility for pilgrims. Additionally, several illumination projects have been undertaken to enhance the visual appeal of Varanasi’s historic monuments, ensuring that the city’s cultural heritage is celebrated and preserved.
Kashi’s Infrastructure Boost
From 2021 to 2025, Kashi’s infrastructure development has gained momentum. The Varanasi-Gorakhpur NH-20, a 72.16 km road, was inaugurated on October 25, 2021, with a project cost of ₹3,509 crore. The redevelopment of Namo Ghat, completed on November 15, 2024, cost ₹95.2 crore and now features modern amenities such as a cafeteria and viewing platforms.
The construction of a jetty at Rajghat, costing approximately ₹10 crore, supports the operation of cruise boats, which began in March 2023. Furthermore, over ₹980 crore has been allocated for the development of flyovers, road bridges, and an airport underpass, set to be completed by April 11, 2025. These infrastructure enhancements are crucial for improving connectivity and facilitating tourism in the region.
Urban Transformation in Kashi
Kashi is also focusing on urban sustainability and civic upgrades. To combat pollution in the Ganga, a project converting diesel and petrol boats to CNG was inaugurated on July 7, 2022, at a cost of ₹29.7 crore. The Goitha Sewage Treatment Plant, inaugurated on February 19, 2019, has a capacity of 120 million litres per day and aims to reduce pollution levels in the river.
Under the Namami Gange scheme, a new sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 55 million litres per day is being constructed at a cost of ₹300 crore. Additionally, ₹345 crore has been allocated under the Jal Jeevan Mission for rural drinking water schemes by April 11, 2025. The Godowlia Multilevel Two-wheeler Parking facility, built for ₹19.55 crore, enhances parking and traffic flow in the bustling city.
Varanasi’s Handloom and Handicraft Revival
Beyond infrastructure, Varanasi is revitalizing its rich tradition of handlooms and handicrafts. The city is famous for its exquisite silk weaving, wood and stone carving, and metalwork. Many crafts, including Banarasi sarees and wooden lacquerware, have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, ensuring their authenticity.
To support local artisans, the government established a Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum, inaugurated on September 22, 2017. This facility, built at a cost of ₹300 crore, provides a platform for showcasing, training, and selling local crafts, playing a vital role in preserving Varanasi’s artistic legacy.
Kashi’s Education and Health Drive
Kashi is also making strides in education and healthcare. The Inter-University Teacher Education Center (IUTEC) at BHU, inaugurated on December 23, 2021, offers a two-year M.Ed. program for 1,000 students, built at a cost of ₹107.36 crore. The PARAM Shivay Supercomputing Center, inaugurated in February 2019, enhances research capabilities with a peak performance of 3.3 petaflops.
In the power sector, ₹1,820 crore has been allocated for new substations and transmission upgrades. The redevelopment of the Sports Stadium in Sigra, with a total budget of ₹180.03 crore, aims to create a world-class hub for sports, further enhancing the city’s infrastructure.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
