Hyderabad National International Specials General

PM Modi cancels his visit to Varanasi due to heavy rains

Thu 16 Jul 2015, 13:45:23

Meerut: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cancelled his proposed visit to Varanasi due to heavy rain. The parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister has been receiving heavy rains since morning.

But according to Uttar Pradesh BJP chief L.K. Bajpai, that was not the sole reason for cancellation of the high profile visit.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his visit to Varanasi because of unfortunate death of a labourer due to electrocution at the rally venue," Mr. Bajpai told The Hindu.

On Wednesday, a 19-year-old labourer was electrocuted while working on the stage.

It was due to heavy rains that the Prime Minister had to cancel his visit to the temple town on June 28 when the Diesel Locomotive Ground, the rally venue, got flooded.

Specially designed water proof tents were put in place to ensure that rain doesn't affect the PM's rally. The tents had a six-inch layer of brick covered with plywood flooring were "efficient" to ensure that rain doesn't affect the

public meet, said a source involved with the arrangements in Varanasi.

"The arrangements took worth several crores. Technicians have come from Delhi to set up the tents but finally the rain and the death of the labourer forced the PM to call off the visit," the official said.

Among other things, the Prime Minister was expected to launch a scheme which would ensure 24x7 power supply to his constituency. The Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) is the flagship programme of the Union Power Ministry which aims to strengthen the power supply in 60 districts including Varanasi. While campaigning for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls Mr. Modi had repeatedly raised lack of power supply in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr. Modi was also expected to launch Rs. 300 crore ring road project and the Rs. 453 crore four-lane National Highway 56.

The Prime Minister was also expected to inaugurate a 324-bed Trauma Center of BHU. The inauguration which was prepared with an investment of Rs. 187 crore had been cancelled twice in the past.

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