QuotePM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various development projects in Varanasi
QuoteToday Kashi is becoming a hub of health facilities for the entire Purvanchal: PM Modi
QuotePM Modi requests people to promote 'Local for Diwali' in addition to 'vocal for local', says buying local products will strengthen local economy

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Varanasi today through video conference. The Prime Minister today launched 16 schemes worth Rs 220 crore and informed that the work has already begun on 14 schemes worth Rs 400 crore in Varanasi.
The projects inaugurated today include Sarnath Light and Sound show, upgradation of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital Ramnagar, sewerage related works, infrastructure facilities for protection and conservation of cows, multipurpose seed storehouse, agriculture produce warehouse of 100 MT, IPDS phase 2, a housing complex for players in Sampurnanand Stadium, Varanasi city smart lighting work, along with 105 Anganwadi Kendras and 102 Gau Ashray Kendras.

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Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said tourism is also a part of the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi. He said this development in itself is an example of how Varanasi has gained the pace of development in every field like cleanliness of River Ganges, health services, road, infrastructure, tourism, electricity, youth, sports, farmer, etc. He announced that today, renovation of sewage treatment plant project under Ganga Action Plan has been completed. He listed the infrastructure works carried out in Varanasi like Ghats being decorated, introduction of CNG to reduce pollution, Tourist Plaza at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The Prime Minister said these efforts towards River Ganga are also the resolve for Kashi and the path of new opportunities for Kashi. Gradually, the situation of the ghats here is improving. He said along with the cleanliness and beautification of Ganga Ghats, Sarnath is also getting a new look. He added that the light and sound programme launched today will increase the grandeur of Sarnath.

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The Prime Minister announced that today, a large part of ​​Kashi is also being freed from the problem of hanging electric wires. Another phase of laying the wires underground is completed today. He said in addition, Smart LED lights will lighten and beautify the streets.

The Prime Minister stressed that the connectivity of Varanasi has always been a top priority of the Government. He said new infrastructure is being constructed so that the people of Kashi and the tourists don't waste their time in traffic jams. He remarked the road connecting Babatpur to the city has also become a new identity of Varanasi. He termed the launch of two Passenger Boarding Bridges in Varanasi airport as necessary, since six years ago, Varanasi airport used to handle 12 flights daily which has now become 48 flights a day. He said modern infrastructure is being made in Varansi to make life easier for both the people who live here and who visit here. He listed the road infrastructure works carried out in the city of Varanasi.

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The Prime Minister said for the last 6 years, unprecedented work has also been done on health infrastructure in Varanasi. Today not only UP, but in a way, it is becoming a hub of health facilities for the entire Purvanchal. He listed the health infrastructure done in the Varanasi area like modernization of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Ramnagar, etc.

The Prime Minister remarked that all-round development is happening in Varanasi today, and is benefiting the entire eastern India including Purvanchal. He said now the people of Purvanchal do not have to go to Delhi and Mumbai even for small needs.

The Prime Minister said for the farmers of Varanasi and Purvanchal, many facilities ranging from storage to transport have been created here like the center of the International Rice Institute, Milk Processing Plant, Construction of Perishable Cargo Center, etc. He said farmers are benefiting a lot from such facilities. He expressed happiness that for the first time this year, fruits, vegetables and paddy from the Varanasi region, have been exported abroad. He said a godown with storage capacity of 100 MT launched today will expand the storage facilities for farmers in Kashi. He said the multi-purpose Seed warehouse and dissemination Center has been launched in Jansa.

The Prime Minister said the village poor and the farmers are the biggest pillars of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat campaign and the biggest beneficiaries too. He said the recent agricultural reforms are going to directly benefit the farmers. He said today, under the Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana, the street vendors are getting easy loans, so that they can resume their work after the pandemic.

The Prime Minister said to provide legal rights to the people living in the village on their lands and houses, ‘Swamitva Yojana’ has been launched. He said after the issuance of property cards under this scheme, their scope for property disputes will not remain in the villages. He added now it will be easy to get a loan from the bank on the village house or land.

The Prime Minister wished the people on Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj and urged them to promote Local for Diwali a lot and also to proudly propogate great local goods and said this will strengthen the local identity.

 

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  • शिवकुमार गुप्ता March 12, 2022

    जय भारत
  • शिवकुमार गुप्ता March 12, 2022

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  • शिवकुमार गुप्ता March 12, 2022

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PM reviews status and progress of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
May 13, 2025
QuotePM lauds recent innovations in India’s TB Elimination Strategy which enable shorter treatment, faster diagnosis and better nutrition for TB patients
QuotePM calls for strengthening Jan Bhagidari to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach towards eliminating TB
QuotePM underscores the importance of cleanliness for TB elimination
QuotePM reviews the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and says that it can be accelerated and scaled across the country

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi earlier today.

Lauding the significant progress made in early detection and treatment of TB patients in 2024, Prime Minister called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate TB from India.

Prime Minister reviewed the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan covering high-focus districts wherein 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals were screened; 7.19 lakh TB cases detected, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic TB cases. Over 1 lakh new Ni-kshay Mitras joined the effort during the campaign, which has been a model for Jan Bhagidari that can be accelerated and scaled across the country to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

Prime Minister stressed the need to analyse the trends of TB patients based on urban or rural areas and also based on their occupations. This will help identify groups that need early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar fields. As technology in healthcare improves, Nikshay Mitras (supporters of TB patients) should be encouraged to use technology to connect with TB patients. They can help patients understand the disease and its treatment using interactive and easy-to-use technology.

Prime Minister said that since TB is now curable with regular treatment, there should be less fear and more awareness among the public.

Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cleanliness through Jan Bhagidari as a key step in eliminating TB. He urged efforts to personally reach out to each patient to ensure they get proper treatment.

During the meeting, Prime Minister noted the encouraging findings of the WHO Global TB Report 2024, which affirmed an 18% reduction in TB incidence (from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023), which is double the global pace; 21% decline in TB mortality (from 28 to 22 per lakh population) and 85% treatment coverage, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and effectiveness.

Prime Minister reviewed key infrastructure enhancements, including expansion of the TB diagnostic network to 8,540 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) labs and 87 culture & drug susceptibility labs; over 26,700 X-ray units, including 500 AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices, with another 1,000 in the pipeline. The decentralization of all TB services including free screening, diagnosis, treatment and nutrition support at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was also highlighted.

Prime Minister was apprised of introduction of several new initiatives such as AI driven hand-held X-rays for screening, shorter treatment regimen for drug resistant TB, newer indigenous molecular diagnostics, nutrition interventions and screening & early detection in congregate settings like mines, tea garden, construction sites, urban slums, etc. including nutrition initiatives; Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana DBT payments to 1.28 crore TB patients since 2018 and enhancement of the incentive to ₹1,000 in 2024. Under Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative, 29.4 lakh food baskets have been distributed by 2.55 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras.

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shri Shaktikanta Das, Adviser to PM Shri Amit Khare, Health Secretary and other senior officials.