Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday lauded the Uttar Pradesh government for successfully handling the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic.

During his address, PM Modi also lauded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership skills. “The infrastructure in Kashi has grown multifold. Kashi has shown that it doesn’t stop or get tired even in difficult times. The past few months have been very difficult for the entire mankind. But entire UP, including Kashi, faced the mutating and dangerous form of Coronavirus with all its might. Today UP is a state that does the maximum number of testings across the country. It is a state that does the maximum number of vaccinations,” the prime minister said in Varanasi.

PM Modi reached his parliamentary constituency Varanasi this morning and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore. He was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel.

In Varanasi, Modi inaugurated various public projects and works, including a 100-bed MCH wing in BHU, multi-level parking at Godauliya, Ro-Ro vessels for tourism development on river Ganga and a three-lane flyover bridge on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway.

The prime minister also inaugurated projects worth around Rs 744 crore and laid foundation stones of several projects and public works worth about Rs 839 crore. These include the Centre for Skill and Technical Support of Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology (CIPET), 143 rural projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission and mango and vegetable integrated pack house in Karkhiyanv.

Later, Modi will also inaugurate the International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Rudrakash which has been constructed with Japanese assistance. Thereafter, he will inspect the Maternal and Child Health Wing, BHU. He will also meet officials and medical professionals to review Covid preparedness.