PM Modi prays at Kashi Vishwanath, to inaugurate ₹36,230 crore Ganga Expressway
Synopsis
PM Modi's Varanasi temple visit and the Ganga Expressway inauguration on the same day capture his dual political and developmental messaging — spiritual connect with his constituency and a ₹36,230 crore infrastructure milestone linking 12 Uttar Pradesh districts at once.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi offered prayers at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple , Varanasi , on 29 April 2025 .
He performed Arti and Abhishek for Lord Shiva and also prayed to Goddess Annapurna and Goddess Ganga .
Modi is set to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi — a 594-km , 6-lane corridor built at ₹36,230 crore .
The expressway traverses 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh, cutting Meerut–Prayagraj travel time from 10–12 hours to approximately 6 hours .
A 3.5 km emergency airstrip in Shahjahanpur adds strategic defence value to the corridor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 April offered prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, seeking the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens. Later in the day, he is scheduled to travel to Hardoi to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway, a 594-kilometre greenfield corridor built at a cost of ₹36,230 crore.
Prayers and rituals at Kashi Vishwanath
The Prime Minister arrived at the ancient temple to a ceremonial welcome marked by Damru beats and shanknaad. He participated in traditional rituals accompanied by Vedic chants, performing the Arti and Abhishek for Lord Shiva. The temple administration gifted him a Trishul and Damru.
Modi also offered prayers to Goddess Annapurna and Goddess Ganga during the visit. Crowds on the temple premises chanted 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Om Namah Shivaya', and 'Om Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev' as the Prime Minister greeted those present. Children reportedly crossed barricades to greet Modi.
In a post on X, Modi wrote:
Point of View
230 crore price tag and 12-district reach make it one of the largest single infrastructure investments in Uttar Pradesh's history, but the real test lies in whether the promised manufacturing corridors and rural income gains materialise or remain on paper. The 3.5-km airstrip in Shahjahanpur, often underreported, quietly elevates this from a road project to a dual-use national security asset.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did PM Modi pray on 29 April 2025?
PM Modi offered prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, on 29 April 2025. He performed Arti and Abhishek for Lord Shiva and also prayed to Goddess Annapurna and Goddess Ganga.
What is the Ganga Expressway and where is it located?
The Ganga Expressway is a 594-kilometre, 6-lane (expandable to 8 lanes) greenfield high-speed corridor in Uttar Pradesh, built at a cost of ₹36,230 crore. It connects 12 districts from Meerut in the west to Prayagraj in the east.
How will the Ganga Expressway reduce travel time?
The expressway is expected to cut travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from the current 10–12 hours to approximately 6 hours, according to an official statement.
What is the emergency airstrip on the Ganga Expressway?
A 3.5-kilometre Emergency Landing Facility, functioning as an airstrip, has been built in Shahjahanpur district along the expressway. It is designed to enhance national security preparedness and adds strategic value beyond the corridor's economic purpose.
Which districts does the Ganga Expressway pass through?
The expressway traverses 12 districts: Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj, connecting the western, central, and eastern regions of Uttar Pradesh.
