With a regional office of the PMO, university town infrastructure around the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and an arts centre along the ghats, Varanasi could well be India's next big boom town.
Modi is likely to revive a regional development plan mooted by a BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in 1997-2000 when Rajnath Singh, now party president, was the state chief minister.
The key element is a ring road that would help decongest the city, said senior BJP leaders in the state. It is around this ring road that Modi's plans of creating a new office, setting up a new university town and other modern amenities will take shape. "The old city of Varanasi, known for its Ganga ghats, its temples and the Banaras Hindu University in the world outside, will not be disturbed, but its creaking infrastructure will be upgraded," said a senior BJP functionary in UP.
Over the last two months, Modi spoke about different aspects of the city, including cleaning up the Ganga and redevelopment of the temple town. He reiterated some of these points during his visit to the city after his recent victory and has already spoken of his desire to turn development into a mass movement.
In its manifesto for the city, the BJP laid special emphasis on the development of infrastructure, urban planning and garbage disposal. It also mentioned a plan to clean the Ganga, the lifeline of Varanasi, and develop tourism, alongside setting up a new "tourism university".
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