PM Modi to Inaugurate Ganga-Haldia Inland Waterways Project, 2 Key Highways in Varanasi Today
At the project's inauguration, Modi will be receiving the 16 containers sent by PepsiCo from Haldia port in West Bengal earlier in the month
New Delhi, November 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit his home constituency Varanasi today, where he will be inaugurating the Ganga-Haldia inland waterways project, along with two key highways. On sidelines of the meeting, Modi is also expected to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who is also in Varanasi to address full-time Sangh workers.
The Ganga-Haldia waterways project, which is considered to be a landmark achievement of the government, will facilitate the first-of-its-kind commercial shipments using the river network in India. At the project's inauguration, Modi will be receiving the containers sent by PepsiCo from Haldia port in West Bengal earlier in the month. PepsiCo Moving 16 Containers on Inland Vessel Over River Ganga: Nitin Gadkari.
The PepsiCo shipment is carrying over 2,000 tonnes of cola beverage, officials said, adding that it's successful receival at Varanasi proves that the waterway route is safe and viable for commercial purpose.
While the Jal Marg Vikas Project is collectively estimated to cost Rs 5,369 crore -- partly to be financed by the World Bank -- the internodal terminal in Varanasi, named as Ramanagar, has been built at a cost of Rs 170 crore.
Apart from launching the inter-model terminal at the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi, Modi would also be inaugurating the 17.25-km Babatpur Airport Highway.
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, said the statement issued by the government. The project has cost the exchequer Rs Rs 812.59 crore.
The 16.55-km Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I, built at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. The route, with two ROBs and one flyover, is expected to cut down congestion and reduce commutation time. It was also easen the vehicle-burden on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya–Varanasi highway.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2018 09:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).