In his first visit to his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi since the BJP won the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate infrastructure projects and address state government officials and BJP workers. He will first inaugurate the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul — a trade facilitation centre for weavers and handicraft workers in Bada-Lalpur, about 20 km from Varanasi city.

The PM will also inaugurate several infrastructure projects, including the Ramnagar-Samne Ghat bridge and the Balua Ghat bridge, and lay the foundation for nearly six projects, including a sewage treatment plant at Ramana, local BJP leaders said. He will flag off the third Mahamana Express between Vadodara and Varanasi by remote control.

Here are the LIVE UPDATES:

02.00 pm: On Saturday, PM Modi will briefly participate in a sanitation-related activity in a village of Shahanshahpur. He will distribute certificates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural & Urban) and address a gathering on the occasion.

01.30 pm: In the evening, PM Modi will visit the historic Tulsi Manas Temple in Varanasi. He will also release a postal stamp on Ramayana. He will later visit the Durga Mata Temple in the city.

01.00 pm:  PM Modi is also scheduled to innaugurate the Utkarsh Bank, which specialises in micro finance, ‘Jal Ambulance’ (water ambulance) service and ‘Jal Shav Vahan’ (water-based vehicle for carrying bodies) service. The prime minister will unveil a plaque to mark thePM Modi is also scheduled to innaugurate the Utkarsh Bank, which specialises in micro finance, ‘Jal Ambulance’ (water ambulance) service and ‘Jal Shav Vahan’ (water-based vehicle for carrying bodies) service. The prime minister will unveil a plaque to mark thelaying of foundation stone of the headquarters building of the Utkarsh Bank.

12.30 pm: Ahead of Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s visit, students protest outside the Banaras Hindu University over the recent molestation incidents in the campus

Mahamana Express

12.00 pm: A Make in India initiative, the features of the Mahamana Express include ergonomically-designed ladders for climbing to upper berths, snack tables for side berths, windows with powered Venetian blinds and roller blinds. The train also has LED lighting across the coaches, special berth indicators-cum-night-light in reserved coaches to assist passengers in boarding the train at night. The train’s bathrooms are fitted with platform washbasins, bigger mirrors, controlled discharged water tap, an odour control system, exhaust fans and dustbins. Other facilities like fire extinguisher in all coaches, electrically operated chimney in pantry car and stainless steel panelling in luggage compartment have also been provided.

11.30 am: The weekly train will start from Varanasi start every Friday and from Vadodara every Wednesday. The train will stop at Bharuch and Surat in Gujarat; Amalner and Bhusawal in Maharashtra; Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni and Satna in Madhya Pradesh and Chheoki in Uttar Pradesh. The 1,531 km journey between will take 27 hours and 30 minutes at an average speed of 55.7 km per hour, railway ministry officials said.

11.00 am: Preparations underway ahead of PM’s visit. Several development projects will be launched by PM Modi. He is also scheduled to flag off the Mahamana Express, through video link

10.45 am: Ahead of the PM’s visit, the PMO made a surprising request to the scientists at Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, to demonstrate the live surgery of animals, including cows, to PM Modi, as reported by Hindustan Times. “We have been asked to send a field surgery team to demonstrate live surgery of animals to the prime minister and his team,” said R K Singh, director of IVRI, as told to HT.

10:35 am: On Thursday, scores of workers were seen cleaning the Assi Ghat which the PM is expected to visit. “Look at the ghats, how dirty and ruined they are. A day before Modi ji comes, these people are cleaning up the area to make it look good,” a boatman on the ghat said.

Cleaning underway at Assi Ghat on Thursday. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri)

10:30 am: Welcome to the live blog where we will be tracking all the updates from PM Modi’s two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.