Daijiworld Media Network - Varanasi

Varanasi, Apr 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday began his visit to Varanasi with prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple before leading a massive roadshow through the city and heading to Hardoi for the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway.

Modi performed darshan and offered prayers at the temple, and was seen holding a Trishul and Damru, a gesture carrying religious symbolism.

Sharing his thoughts on X, the Prime Minister said he prayed to Lord Bholenath for the happiness, prosperity and good health of all citizens, adding that darshan of Maa Annapurna and Maa Ganga brought him immense peace.

The Prime Minister’s 14-km roadshow drew large crowds as it passed through key city locations, beginning at Banaras Locomotive Works and proceeding through Lahartara, Kachahri, Ambedkar Chauraha, Chaukaghat, Teliyabag, Lahurabir and Maidagin before concluding at Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

Residents lined the route in large numbers, with Lahurabir witnessing particularly heavy crowds.

Local BJP MLA Ravindra Jaiswal said Modi’s visits to Kashi often coincide with major development announcements and said people turned out in large numbers to welcome him.

Following his Varanasi engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the 594-km Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, a major infrastructure project built at a cost of Rs 36,230 crore.

The six-lane greenfield corridor, expandable to eight lanes, will connect 12 districts including Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Hardoi, Raebareli and Prayagraj, and is expected to reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from up to 12 hours to around six.

Officials say the expressway will improve connectivity, boost freight movement and spur economic growth across large parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The visit combined religious symbolism with infrastructure outreach, placing Varanasi once again at the centre of the Prime Minister’s political and development agenda.