Varanasi, 28 April (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for two landmark projects in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi: a 500‑bed super‑specialty hospital and a futuristic double‑decker Signature Bridge over the Ganga. The moves are part of a broader push to upgrade Kashi’s health infrastructure and decongest the city’s crucial river‑crossing corridors.

The planned super‑specialty hospital, to be built at a cost of about ₹315 crore, will offer advanced tertiary care to the residents of Varanasi as well as neighbouring districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The 500‑bed facility is expected to significantly enhance access to specialised services such as cardiology, neurology, oncology and critical‑care intensive‑care units, reducing the need for patients to travel to distant metros.

By responding to long‑standing public demand for a high‑end hospital in the city, the government has framed the project as a major step towards affordable, high‑quality healthcare in one of India’s most densely populated pilgrimage hubs.

India’s widest double‑decker Signature Bridge over Ganga

The Signature Bridge over the Ganga will be India’s widest and most modern double‑decker river crossing, spanning about 1,074 metres and costing roughly ₹2,500–2,600 crore. It will be built parallel to the historic Malviya Bridge, taking the load of commercial and passenger traffic off the old structure.

On the upper deck, the bridge will carry a six‑lane road, while the lower deck will house four railway tracks, integrating road and rail connectivity into a single corridor. One of its distinctive design features will be a sculptural form resembling a beating damaru (traditional drum) at one end, evoking the city’s spiritual identity.

Once completed, the Signature Bridge will link Namo Ghat on the Varanasi side to Padau on the eastern bank, easing connectivity to Chandauli district and Bihar, and improving the efficiency of freight movement, trade and regional commuting. The project is expected to transform Kashi’s urban‑transport architecture and set a benchmark for multi‑modal infrastructure along the Ganga.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar