Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project at his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Monday.

The two roads have a combined length of 34 km and have been laid at a cost of Rs 1,571.95 crore.

“I look forward to being in Kashi to inaugurate development projects that will have a transformative impact on the city and the rest of Uttar Pradesh, especially Poorvanchal,” PM Modi said in a series of tweets.

“Kashi has blessed me with unparalleled affection. I am doing everything possible to transform the ancient city and strengthen it with the modern infrastructure it deserves.

“A major infrastructure project, which will enhance ‘Ease of Living’ for the people of Varanasi,” the Prime Minister added.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, the 16.55-km Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been completed at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the four-laning and construction of 17.25-km-long Babatpur-Varanasi Road on NH-56 has cost Rs 812.59 crore.

The Babatpur Airport Highway will link Varanasi to the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With the flyover at Harhua and a road over bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the new road plan will reduce travel time from Varanasi to the airport.

Further the ring road is expected to provide smooth road access to Sarnath, a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site.

On the day, at a separate event, the prime minister will inaugurate the first multi-modal waterways terminal on the Ganga river as part of the Centre’s Jal Marg Vikas Project which aims to develop the stretch of the river between Varanasi and Haldia for navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes, an official statement said.

The objective of the project is to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo movement. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project implementing agency.

National Waterway-1 (Haldia-Varanasi stretch) is being developed with technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be shared between the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 ratio.

The project entails construction of three multi-modal terminals (Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia), two inter-modal terminals, five roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal pairs, new navigation lock at Farakka, assured depth dredging, integrated vessel repair and maintenance facility, differential global positioning system (DGPS), river information system (RIS), river training and conservancy works.

According to the release, these projects will also provide employment opportunities and development of small and medium industries in the area.

Currently there are 2,833 km of National Highway projects costing Rs 63,885 crore underway to link Varanasi to other places in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

During his visit, Modi will also dedicate the newly constructed Multi-Modal Terminal on River Ganga to the nation.

“This is the first of the four multi-modal terminals being constructed on NW-I (River Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India,” it said.

The Prime Minister will also receive India’s first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata.

Modi will be accompanied by UP Governor Ram Naik, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the function.

(With inputs from agencies)