Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate 23 completed projects worth Rs 10,972 crore in his parliamentary constituency on Feb 23. Additionally, he will lay the foundation for 13 new projects worth Rs 3,344 crore as part of Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata expressway construction Package-I.
Among these projects are the establishment of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited’s unit to manufacture components for Vande Bharat trains, the National Institute of Fashion Technology’s campus, a medical college, and a common bio-medical waste disposal facility of the atomic energy department.
According to Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma, during his proposed visit, the PM will lay the foundation for these 13 projects, which will significantly enhance infrastructure, medical education and facilities, fashion technology, and measures for bio-medical waste disposal in Varanasi.
Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway: One of the major projects is the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata six-lane expressway, which will reduce travel time between Varanasi and Kolkata from 15 hours to 9 hours. The foundation stone for Package-I of this project, costing Rs 1,317 crore including land acquisition, will be laid by Modi. This package includes the construction of 27 km of road (green belt). The expressway is expected to reduce logistics costs and promote industrial activities by connecting several major cities.
BHEL’s Advanced Research & Manufacturing Plant: This expansion of BHEL’s activities will see the establishment of a new unit in 30 acres of land at Karkhiyao, with an investment of Rs 1,149 crore. The plant will produce components for semi-high-speed and high-speed trains like Vande Bharat for Indian Railways, including advanced propulsion systems, train protection systems, and hydrogen production systems. In addition, it will feature a national testing facility for cylinders and research centers focused on developing indigenous and cost-effective technologies.
Medical College: A 420-bed medical college, with an investment of Rs 150 crore, is set to be established in the government mental hospital campus at Pandeypur. This institution, the second-largest after Banaras Hindu University’s Institute of Medical Sciences with AIIMS status, will offer significant benefits in the treatment and higher education of patients suffering from heart diseases.
NIFT: The establishment of the country’s 19th and Uttar Pradesh’s first National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is underway, with a budget of Rs 432.75 crore. NIFT will have two campuses in the city, offering eight courses, including six undergraduate and two postgraduate programs. Additionally, three graduation programs will be conducted from the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Handicraft Complex. Currently, NIFT operates an extension center at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology Chowkaghat, offering diploma courses for artisans and weavers.
Biomedical Waste Pyrolysis Plant: A Biomedical Waste Pyrolysis Plant is being established at Ramna village, with an investment of Rs 17.5 crore. This facility, a joint initiative by Tata Memorial Centre and the Institute for Plasma Nuclear Research (Department of Atomic Energy, GoI), will serve govt and private hospitals in Varanasi and surrounding districts, disposing of biomedical waste from approximately 10,000 beds. It will be the first-of-its-kind in North India.