New Delhi, 27 April (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a comprehensive two-day tour of Sikkim today, focusing on the state’s development as it celebrates the golden jubilee of its statehood. Following his visit to the Northeast, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday evening to launch a wide array of infrastructure and social welfare projects.

In Sikkim, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development initiatives valued at over ₹4,000 crore. These projects span multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, connectivity, and environmental protection. Notable highlights include the foundation stone for a 100-bed Ayurveda hospital in Namchi, the inauguration of the permanent campus for Sikkim University, and the launch of IT-enabled infrastructure for 160 schools. To improve regional transport, he will also initiate the construction of critical steel-arch bridges over the Teesta River and the expansion of key road networks.

On Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister will transition to Varanasi, where he will preside over a Mahila Sammelan (Women's Conference) and launch development projects worth approximately ₹6,350 crore. His itinerary in Uttar Pradesh includes the dedication of numerous infrastructure works, such as sewage treatment plants, rail overbridges, and the beautification of historic ghats. He is also expected to flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Banaras to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai, significantly boosting connectivity for pilgrims and tourists.

A major milestone of this visit will be the inauguration of the 594-kilometer Ganga Expressway in Hardoi on Wednesday. This six-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor—constructed at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore—is designed to transform the economic landscape of Uttar Pradesh. By linking 12 districts, the project is expected to slash travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj by nearly half, while serving as a strategic hub for industrial growth, logistics, and rural development across the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar