Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 October, 2024 launched 23 development projects worth Rs 6,700 crore from the Sports Complex in Sigra, his parliamentary constituency in Varanasi. Among these initiatives, 16 projects are valued at over Rs 3,200 crore and are specifically located in Varanasi.

Earlier, he also inaugurated the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital, which is managed by the Kanchi Math. It would benefit residents of 20 districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh as well as bordering areas of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated new terminal buildings at Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport in Ambikapur, and Sarsawa Airport, which together are valued at over Rs 220 crore under regional connectivity scheme (RCS)- UDAN.

PM Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1,550 crore expansion of Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri in northern West Bengal, and also for several new civil enclaves, including Agra Airport, with an investment of over Rs 570 crore, and of Darbhanga Airport, costing approx. Rs 910 crore.

The new civil enclave at the Bagdogra Airport will feature a terminal building with an area of 70,390 sq. mtrs., designed to handle 3,000 peak hour passengers (PHP) and an annual capacity of 10 million passengers. The project will include the construction of an apron with 10 parking bays for A-321 aircraft, two link taxiways, and a multi-level car parking facility.

The projects received approval from the Union Cabinet in August. Located just 14 km from Siliguri, Bagdogra Airport serves as a crucial aviation hub for northern West Bengal.