Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Mirzapur’s Bansagar canal to the nation on Sunday at a public gathering in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The PM, who is in the state to unveil and lay the foundation stones of a slew of projects, said that Bansagar canal will provide a major boost to irrigation in the region and help farmers in all neighbouring districts of the state.

The PM also laid the foundation stone of the Mirzapur Medical College and dedicated a bridge over River Ganga at Balughat in Chunar, which will facilitate connectivity between Mirzapur and Varanasi.

Addressing the gathering, the PM extolled the work done by his party in the growth of the Purvanchal region saying that it is in the last four years that developmental work has accelerated in this part of the state.

“Since the time BJP-NDA govt has come to power the development work in Purvanchal has accelerated and its results can be seen by everyone today,” said PM Modi.

“The Rs 3500 crore Bansagar canal project will help in the irrigation of about 1.5 lakh hectares of farm land in this region, including Allahabad,” he said.

At the same time, the PM also accused the previous governments of ignoring the plight of farmers in the state.

“Previous governments used to come up with incomplete projects and stall them. You are the people who suffered through all of that. Had this project been completed beforehand, you would have been benefitted by it two decades back,” he said.

Commenting on opposition parties who are now raising the issue of farmers to target the ruling government at the Centre, the PM asked why they themselves didn’t launch any of such projects during their regime.

“People who are shedding crocodile tears in the name of farmers, you should ask them why didn’t they see such schemes during their regime,” he said.

“Those who are indulging in politics in the name of farmers had no time to raise the prices of MSP,” he added.

“We are taking one step after the other to bridge the gap between the rich and poor. Its result will soon be out for everyone to see. The poor can now look you in the eyes, confidently,” asserted the PM.

PM Modi also told the gathering that the medical college unveiled today will not only benefit Mirzapur but also Sonbhadra, Bhadohi, Chandoli and Allahabad.