All BJP Chief Ministers and over 3,000 seers attended the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath.
The inauguration comes at a time which is crucial for the BJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh state polls next year.
PM Modi urged the nation to take three pledges, saying ‘Today, I ask you for three pledges, not for myself but for the country- cleanliness, creativity, and a constant effort for a self-reliant India.’
The ? 800 crore corridor project aims to aims to decongest the temple complex and boost religious as well as general tourism from the world over, it has been deemed ‘the vision of the Prime Minister for a long time’ by the government
This is the third project that the Prime Minister inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh in a week. Last week, he launched projects worth ? 9,600 crore in Gorakhpur – Yogi Adityanath’s stronghold – and the Saryu Canal project in Balrampur. He also inaugurated the long awaited Purvanchal Expressway.
Before the inauguration, Modi interacted with all the workers that were involved in the construction of the corridor and showered flower petals on them as a token of appreciation.
Former CM Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party earlier claimed credit for the temple project.
‘If there is any cabinet that passed the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, it was Samajwadi Party’s government,” Yadav told reporters. Last week, he said that ’75 per cent of the work for the Saryu Canal project” was completed during his tenure.’
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said a total of 23 buildings have been inaugurated in the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath project. The total area stands at a massive 5 lakh square feet, from the earlier 3,000 square feet, with more than 40 ancient temples rediscovered, restored, and beautified and several modern visitor facilities added as part of the revamp.
He also offered prayers at the Kaal Bhiarav temple and took a holy dip in the Ganga.
The Phase 1 of the the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is being constructed at a cost of ?339 crore.
The inauguration comes just months ahead of the high-stakes assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.