Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

He will inaugurate Donyi Polo Airport at Itanagar, the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh, in a key step to boost connectivity in the Northeast. He will also dedicate 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation.

The name of the airport reflects the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and its age-old indigenous reverence for the Sun (‘Donyi’) and the Moon (‘Polo’).

The airport has been developed in an area of over 690 acres, at a cost of more than Rs. 640 crores. With a 2300 m runway, the airport is suitable for all weather day operations.

The airport terminal is a modern building, which promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and the recycling of resources.

The development of a new airport in Itanagar will not only improve connectivity in the region but will also act as a catalyst for the growth of trade and tourism, thus providing a boost to the economic development of the region.

During the Programme, the PM will also dedicate 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation. Developed at a cost of more than Rs 8450 crores and in an area spread over more than 80 km in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, the project will make it a power surplus state, also benefitting the National Grid in terms of grid stability and integration. This project will contribute in a major way towards the fulfilment of the country’s commitment to increase the adoption of green energy.

The PM will then leave for Varanasi where he will inaugurate ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’. Guided by the vision of the PM, the promotion of the idea of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ has been one of the major focus areas of the government. In yet another initiative reflecting this vision, ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’, a month-long programme, is being organised in Kashi (Varanasi).

The objective of the programme is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning.

The programme aims to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life including scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists etc. from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each others’ experiences.

More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be visiting Kashi. They will participate in seminars, site visits etc to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest.

A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, ODOP products, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history, tourist places etc of the two regions will also be put up in Kashi.