varanasi prime minister narendra modi who on thursday gifted projects worth rs 1583 crores to the people of his parliamentary constituency lauded the spirit of the city saying by keeping up the pace of life even in difficult times due to coronavirus pandemic kashi has shown it never stops or gets tiredpeople of kashi combatted covid19 effectively and in a disciplined manner they also ensured that development work is not hampered even during this time of crisis modi said at a public meeting at iitbhu ground after inaugurating 78 projects of rs 744 crores including rudraksh international convention centre that has been constructed to celebrate indiajapan ties and laying foundation of 64 projects comprising 206 works of rs 838 croreswith this spirit kashi has shown that it doesnt stop or get tired even in difficult times he said recalling how the past few months have been difficult for mankind due to a mutating and dangerous form of coronavirusappreciating the teams of administrative officials and corona warriors of kashi he said even if they were contacted in midnight it was found that they were active in the field to make necessary arrangements for the needyregarding improved medical infrastructure he said kashi has become a large medical hub of purvanchal east up today treatment of critical diseases for which people from this region used to go to major centres like delhi and mumbai has become available herenot only kashi modi also highlighted that health infrastructure has improved across up number of medical colleges has grown fourfold in the last four years while about 550 oxygen plants are in the process of being installedthe pm also praised the efforts to improve paediatric icus and oxygen facilities by the state governmentprojects like highways flyovers railway overbridges underground wiring sewage and drinking water tourism have seen unprecedented push from the government he said adding these projects are propelling ancient kashi on the path of development even while keeping its essence safefor a clean ganga and beautiful kashi work is being done for improving the condition of roads sewage treatment beautification of parks and ghats along the river widening panchkosi road will make pilgrimage walks pleasant while villagers along this road would also be benefited the ashapur rob on varanasighazipur road will ease movement of people opting this highway he addedabout the projects for tourism promotion the pm said that large led screens installed all over the city and latest technology information boards on the ghats will help make visitors aware about the history architecture crafts art and culture of kashi people will also be able to see the aarti of ganga and also kashi vishwanath temple on such screens by staying anywhere in the city said the pm adding roro and cruise vessels services which were inaugurated today will boost tourismregarding the measures for further development of kashi as the centre of learning he said model school iti and many such institutions are being added to the city while cipets centre for skilling and technical