Varanasi, April 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Tuesday for a two-day visit, receiving a grand welcome at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior BJP leaders. The visit is marked by a massive show of women’s participation at the 'Jan-Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan' at BLW Ground, where the Prime Minister is set to address thousands and roll out 163 development projects aimed at accelerating growth in the region.After landing, the Prime Minister travelled by helicopter to the Bareka helipad and proceeded to the guest house. He is scheduled to address the gathering at around 5 p.m. Notably, the entire event is being managed by women — from stage anchoring to security arrangements — underscoring the focus on women-led leadership.

A large turnout of women and female students is expected, with 44 women representatives set to share the stage, raising issues related to empowerment, safety, self-reliance and equal opportunities. The event is being described as one of the largest women-centric political gatherings in Kashi.Earlier in the day, PM Modi, accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers, offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Along with the Prime Minister, BJP's National President Nitin Naveen, the Deputy CM, and several other senior leaders have also arrived in Kashi.During the visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 163 projects worth Rs 6,332.08 crore. Of these, 50 projects worth Rs 1,054.69 crore will be inaugurated, while foundation stones will be laid for 113 projects valued at Rs 5,277.39 crore. He will also transfer a bonus of Rs 105 crore to lakhs of milk producers linked with Amul.

The projects span key sectors including road infrastructure, railway over-bridges, flyovers, healthcare and education facilities, drinking water supply, sewerage systems, sanitation, sports infrastructure, pond rejuvenation, green energy initiatives and urban development. These measures are expected to significantly strengthen infrastructure in Purvanchal and boost regional development.In a push to rail connectivity, the Prime Minister will also flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains — one between Banaras and Pune (Hadapsar), and another connecting Ayodhya with Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus).This is PM Modi’s 54th visit to Varanasi over the past 11 years and his first in 2026. His previous visit to the city was in November 2025. The visit is being seen as significant for its dual emphasis on women empowerment and a major developmental push in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

/IANS