India
The Ring Road, with two ROBs and a flyover, is expected to reduce traffic, fuel usage and pollution on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya Varanasi highway, the statement said.
Updated : Nov 11, 2018, 06:42 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project at his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Monday.
The two roads have a combined length of 34 km and have been laid at a cost of Rs 1,571.95 crore. The 16.55-km Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been completed at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the four-laning and construction of 17.25-km-long Babatpur-Varanasi Road on NH-56 has cost Rs 812.59 crore, read a statement from the PM's office.
Making Kashi cleaner and healthier through sewerage projects which will have a long-term impact on the city and surrounding areas.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018
The inauguration of 140 MLD Dinapur STP will add great strength towards the efforts of cleaning the Ganga. pic.twitter.com/Ne7bOmX3BU
The Babatpur Airport Highway will link Varanasi to the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With the flyover at Harhua and a road over bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the new road plan will reduce travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing relief to the locals and tourists coming here, the statement said.
The Ring Road, with two ROBs and a flyover, is expected to reduce traffic, fuel usage and pollution on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya Varanasi highway, the statement said.
In a major boost to port-led development and harnessing our Jal Shakti for India's growth, an inland waterways terminal will be inaugurated in Varanasi tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/mGMuyPejUe
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018
Further the ring road is expected to provide smooth road access to Sarnath, a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site.
On the day, at a separate event, the prime minister will inaugurate the first multi-modal waterways terminal on the Ganga river as part of the Centre's Jal Marg Vikas Project which aims to develop the stretch of the river between Varanasi and Haldia for navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes, an official statement said.
With the inauguration of the Babatpur Airport highway, coming to Varanasi just got easier. Have a look at the photos of this state-of-the-art project.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018
Travelling to and from Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow also gets easier with this project.
A win-win for the people of Kashi. pic.twitter.com/9tmY4oSNe0
The objective of the project is to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo movement. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project implementing agency.
National Waterway-1 (Haldia-Varanasi stretch) is being developed with technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be shared between the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 ratio.
One of the projects I will be inaugurating in Kashi tomorrow is the Varanasi Ring Road Phase 1, which will be a source of great convenience and relief for the people of Kashi. It will reduce travel time and fuel usage.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018
And yes, going to Sarnath also gets a lot easier now! pic.twitter.com/YjOFSjcBlo
The project entails construction of three multi-modal terminals (Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia), two inter-modal terminals, five roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal pairs, new navigation lock at Farakka, assured depth dredging, integrated vessel repair and maintenance facility, differential global positioning system (DGPS), river information system (RIS), river training and conservancy works.
Operation, management and further development of the terminal is proposed to be entrusted to an operator on public-private partnership model and selection of the operator through an international competitive bidding is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed by December, an official statement said.
The multi-modal terminal project and proposed freight village in Varanasi are expected to generate 500 direct employment and more than 2,000 indirect employment opportunities.
Later in the day, the PM will receive India's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata on inland waterways on October 30, carrying cargo belonging to PEPSICO (India).
Modi will be accompanied by UP Governor Ram Naik, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the function.
The prime minister is also likely to address a public meeting at Wajidpur village in Varanasi on the day.