Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that Kashi, which is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has seen the restoration of its pristine glory as a spiritual and cultural centre of the country in the last eight years.
Addressing Prabuddha Jan Sammelan at CM Sampurnand Sanskrit University Ground in Varanasi, Chief Minister Yogi said that it was because of these changes that while earlier the city witnessed arrival of one crore tourists in a year, now one crore tourists visit the city in a month itself.
“Till 2016, sewer water used to flow on the roads. There were heaps of garbage on the streets while the condition of the ghats was pathetic in Kashi, but today the change is in front of all of us,” he said.
“Today, Kashi has four-lane connectivity from all sides. Along with this, it is connected through air services to all major cities of the country. Ghats have been beautified. Besides, the city is emerging as a major educational and health centre,” he added.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Yogi said that he introduced for the first time Inland Waterways in Kashi, which is helping export of foodgrains, fruits, vegetables and ‘One District One Products’ of UP to foreign countries.
Emphasising that this pace of development should not be allowed to stop, Chief Minister Yogi said the BJP’s victory in the municipal elections would strengthen the triple engine model of development, ensuring progress like a bullet train.
The CM said that as India embarks on the journey to realise PM Modi’s goal of making the country a $5 trillion economy, UP must act as the growth engine of the country.
However, the preconditions for making UP the growth engine are taking forward the programmes of urbanisation, investment, employment, skill development and developing education and health centres in a robust manner, he said.
He added that as India celebrates Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, our global prestige has improved and India is the fastest growing economy of the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi
“Today India has become 5th largest economy in the world, leaving Britain, which ruled the country for two hundred years, behind. India is leading the G20 in Amrit Kaal,” said Yogi.
“G20 countries control 75 per cent of the world’s trade, and have rights over 85 per cent of GDP and 90 per cent patents while 60 per cent of the world’s population lives here. India has got the opportunity to lead these 20 countries,” he added.