OPOD programme is an extended effort of Make In India, says PM in Varanasi

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Trade Facilitation Centre & Crafts Museum at his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Saturday. PM was accompanied by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and others.

"Today over 50 crore internet connections working in India. Along with its expansion in cities, network is increasing in rural areas too. Digital India has not only added to our conveniences, it's a medium to reduce corruption," said PM during the One District,One Product Regional Summit in Varanasi: .

PM will view a detailed presentation of the proposed 400 metre Kashi-Vishwanath corridor project. He will see a 12-minute documentary on the ambitious multi-crore project which envisions a widened and beautified corridor to the fabled temple.

A detailed project will be prepared after the Prime Minister's nod and then it will be moved in the Union Cabinet for approval.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kashi Vishwanath temple Vishal Singh said that tenders will be floated for the project after it is cleared by the cabinet. The foundation is likely to be laid in February 2019.

He will inaugurate the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) on the campus of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi.

About Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor:

- The proposed corridor between the temple and the banks of river Ganga will have two pathways around 400-metre-long and 50-feet-wide.

- Corridor will have an open auditorium between the Lalita Ghat and the famous Manikarnika Ghat.

- Corridor also will boast a rest house, a hospital, Vedic study centre, restrooms for the priests and other staff, a library, 150-175 shops, cafeteria, toilets, visual library and help desks.

Officials also informed that before the foundation is laid, as many as 10,000 square metres of land of the total 25,000 square metres would be cleared.