Modi: Infrastructure and spiritual tourism powering India’s growth

• PM Modi flags off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi.
• Says infrastructure is key to development and economic growth.
• Notes spiritual tourism is driving prosperity in Uttar Pradesh.
• Over 160 Vande Bharat trains now operational across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said infrastructure development has been the key driver of economic growth across the world, and India too is moving rapidly on the same path.

Speaking after flagging off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from the Banaras railway station in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, Modi said, “In developed countries across the world, the biggest reason for economic growth has been their infrastructure. In every nation that has achieved major progress, the driving force behind it has been infrastructure development.”

‘विकसित भारत’ के संकल्प की सिद्धि एवं राष्ट्र की आर्थिक प्रगति के लिए आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी द्वारा देवाधिदेव महादेव की प्रिय नगरी काशी में Infrastructure Development की यात्रा को आज नई गति मिली है।

प्रधानमंत्री जी ने आज बनारस-खजुराहो व लखनऊ-सहारनपुर सहित चार… pic.twitter.com/H0saEz2ZIZ

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 8, 2025

‘Infrastructure sparks overall growth’

The prime minister said infrastructure was not just about big bridges and highways but a catalyst for wider progress. “Whenever such systems are developed anywhere, it sparks the overall development of that region,” he said.

Highlighting India’s fast-paced progress, Modi added, “With so many Vande Bharat trains running and flights arriving from countries across the world, all these developments are now linked to growth. Today, India is also moving rapidly on this path.”

He said trains such as Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat were laying the foundation of a new generation of Indian Railways.

“Vande Bharat is a train of Indians, built by Indians for Indians, of which every Indian is proud,” he said, adding that even foreign travellers were impressed by the indigenous trains.

With the addition of the four new trains, more than 160 Vande Bharat Express trains are now operational nationwide.

Spiritual tourism driving growth in Uttar Pradesh

Modi said spiritual tourism had become a significant source of income and a driver of development in Uttar Pradesh.

“In our country, pilgrimage has for centuries been considered a medium of national consciousness. These journeys are not merely routes for darshan of deities, but a sacred tradition that connects the soul of India,” he said.

बीते 11 वर्षों में यूपी में हुए विकास कार्यों ने ‘तीर्थाटन’ को एक नए स्तर पर पहुंचा दिया है: आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी pic.twitter.com/SuxdYElK9W

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 8, 2025

“Places like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot and Kurukshetra are the centres of our spiritual beliefs,” Modi said, adding that connecting these destinations through the Vande Bharat network was also linking India’s culture, faith and development.

He said pilgrimage tourism had reached a new level in Uttar Pradesh over the past 11 years.

“Last year, more than 11 crore devotees came to Kashi for Baba Vishwanath’s darshan, and since the construction of the Ram Temple, over 6 crore people have visited Ayodhya. These devotees have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to Uttar Pradesh’s economy,” Modi said.

He added that the surge in visitors had generated opportunities for youth and steady income for hotel owners, transport operators, local artists and boatmen.

‘Viksit Bharat’ vision from ‘Viksit Kashi’

Modi said several infrastructure projects were being undertaken to realise the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) from a ‘Viksit Kashi’ (Developed Kashi).

“Kashi is experiencing continuous expansion, development and qualitative improvement, with good hospitals, good roads, gas pipelines, and internet connectivity,” he said, adding that work on a ropeway project was progressing rapidly.

काशी इस पूरे क्षेत्र की ‘हेल्थ कैपिटल’ के रूप में जाना जाने लगा है। साथियों, हमें काशी के विकास की ये गति, ये ऊर्जा बनाए रखनी है ताकि ‘भव्य काशी’ तेजी से ‘समृद्ध काशी’ भी हो: आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी pic.twitter.com/3DLzm1sRFt

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 8, 2025

“Our effort is to make visiting, staying in, and enjoying the amenities of Varanasi a special experience for everyone,” Modi said.

Kashi emerging as regional health capital

The prime minister said the government was also improving health services in Varanasi.

“Ten or eleven years ago, BHU hospital was the only option for serious illnesses. For cancer, people would sell their land and travel to Mumbai for treatment,” he said.

“Today, our government has worked to alleviate these concerns. The Mahamana Cancer Hospital, Sankara Netralaya, the trauma centre at BHU, and the divisional hospital at Shatabdi Chikitsalaya have all become a boon for Kashi, Purvanchal and the surrounding states,” he said.

He said the Ayushman Bharat scheme and Janaushadhi Kendras were helping poor people save large sums on healthcare, and that “Kashi has become known as the health capital of this entire region.”

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present at the event.

The newly flagged Vande Bharat trains will operate on Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes.

According to officials, the trains will reduce travel time between key stations, enhance regional mobility, promote tourism, and support economic activity.

The Banaras–Khajuraho train will connect prominent cultural and religious destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj and Chitrakoot.

(With inputs from news agencies)