Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Tuesday, 28 April for a two-day visit, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. The visit — his 54th to Varanasi in 11 years and first in 2026 — combines a major infrastructure rollout worth ₹6,332.08 crore with one of the largest women-centric political gatherings in the city's recent history.

Key Developments

After landing, Modi travelled by helicopter to the Bareka helipad before proceeding to the guest house. He is scheduled to address thousands at the 'Jan-Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan' at BLW Ground at around 5 pm IST. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Chief Minister Adityanath and other ministers, offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. BJP's National President Nitin Naveen, the Deputy Chief Minister, and several senior leaders also arrived in the city.

Infrastructure Push: 163 Projects Across Purvanchal

During the visit, Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for 163 development projects in the region. Of these, 50 projects worth ₹1,054.69 crore will be formally inaugurated, while foundation stones will be laid for 113 projects valued at ₹5,277.39 crore. The projects span road infrastructure, railway over-bridges, flyovers, healthcare and education facilities, drinking water supply, sewerage systems, sanitation, sports infrastructure, pond rejuvenation, green energy initiatives, and urban development — measures expected to significantly strengthen infrastructure across Purvanchal.

In a boost to rail connectivity, Modi will also flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains — one linking Banaras to Pune (Hadapsar) and another connecting Ayodhya with Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus). He will additionally transfer a bonus of ₹105 crore to lakhs of milk producers affiliated with Amul.

Women Power in the Spotlight

The 'Jan-Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan' is being described as one of the largest women-centric political gatherings in Kashi. Notably, the entire event is being managed by women — from stage anchoring to security arrangements — underscoring a deliberate focus on women-led participation. A large turnout of women and female students is expected, with 44 women representatives set to share the stage, raising issues related to empowerment, safety, self-reliance, and equal opportunities.

Context and Significance

This is Modi's first visit to Varanasi in 2026; his previous visit to the city was in November 2025. The twin emphasis on women empowerment and a large-scale developmental push in eastern Uttar Pradesh gives the visit a dual political and governance dimension. This comes amid heightened focus on Purvanchal's infrastructure deficit, which has been a persistent talking point for the BJP in the region. With assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh on the horizon, the scale of the rollout and the symbolic framing around women's leadership are being closely watched by political observers.

All eyes will now be on the pace of project execution and whether the Amrit Bharat Express services translate into sustained connectivity gains for eastern UP and beyond.