LIVE UPDATES: PM Modi to inaugurate multi-modal inland waterways project, two major National highways in Varanasi

Update at 3:21 pm: PM Modi inaugurates multi-modal inland waterways project

Update at 3:21 pm: Prime Minister Modi analysis the development of the multi-modal inland waterways project and National highways 

Update at 3:21 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Varanasi to inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project at his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Monday.  The 16.55-kilometer 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 been laid at a cost of Rs. 812.59 crore.

Both the roads have a combined length of 34-kilometres and have been laid at a cost of Rs 1,571.95 crore.

The new road plan will reduce travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing relief to the locals and tourists. With the flyover at Harhua and a road over bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the Babatpur Airport Highway will link Varanasi to the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow.

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According to the new construction, 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 ring road is also expected to provide smooth road access to the renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site– Sarnath.

PM Modi will also inaugurate the first multi-modal waterways terminal on the River Ganga as part of the Centre’s Jal Marg Vikas Project and 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.

The objective of the project is to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for the movement of cargo. 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.

PM 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 during the day.

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