Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Integrated Power Development Scheme aimed at ensuring 24x7 power for all, during his visit in Varanasi on Sunday.

Mr. Modi is scheduled to arrive at the LBS International airport at Babatpur where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Governor Ram Naik would receive him.

From the airport, he will travel by helicopter and road to Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where he would inaugurate the newly built trauma centre.

Later at the DLW ground in Varanasi, he would launch the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), a flagship project of his government which aims at strengthening sub transmission and distribution network in the city along with 100 per cent metering facility.

The Scheme is being launched from Varanasi for which Rs. 574 crore has been allocated. The sector’s key financer Power Finance Corporation would prepare the detailed project report (DPR).

The state government would then either bid the project or nominate agencies to execute the same as per the DPR.

Launching of ring road project

Along with the IPDS, the Prime Minister would also launch the ring road project for the temple town and also give nod to the conversion of the road from LBS International Airport to city’s Varuna bridge into a four-lane road, which is a part of NH 56.

Later, he would address “Vikas Sabha” at the same place where a large number of people are expected to attend.

“BJP state president Laxmi Kant Bajpai reached Varanasi today ahead of PM’s visit. The local leaders and workers yesterday took out a march in the city to appeal to the masses for their support to make the PM’s rally at DLW successful by participating in large number,” said Sanjay Bhardwaj, BJP media in-charge of Varanasi constituency as well as Poorvanchal region (eastern UP).

Mr. Bhardwaj said Mr. Bajpai held meetings with party leaders and workers at the Gulab Bagh office at Sigra to make the rally successful, and they expect participation of more than 40,000 people including BJP workers, railway employees and their family members.

Security measures

UP Health and Family Welfare Minister Ahmad Hasan and another Minister Yasar Shah would be present throughout the Modi’s visit.

Earlier, on June 25, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Coal, Power and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal had visited Varanasi and held meetings with officials of power department and also with district administration.

During his visit, Mr. Goyal also took stock of the preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit.

The security has been tightened in and around the DLW campus and senior police and administrative officials are regularly visiting the sites of the programme.

This is the third visit of Mr. Modi after taking charge of PM office.

Mr. Modi had visited Varanasi for a day and attended Ganga aarti and offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanth temple on May 17 last year after BJP won with an absolute majority with him being as a PM’s nominee.

Later in December, he again visited Varanasi during which the Prime Minister visited his adopted Jayapur village.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the UP police for Mr. Modi’s day-long visit to his constituency, official sources said.

IG, Law and Order, A Satish Ganesh said DG Security, Gopal Gupta has been made in-charge of PM’s programme and 14 SP rank, 20 Deputy SP rank officers have also been deployed for the security.

Besides 15 companies of PAC, RAF and other adequate number of police personnel will be deployed in Varanasi.