Among 7 new high-speed rail corridors proposed in Union Budget to promote environmentally sustainable passenger transport and act as ‘growth connectors’ linking major cities, Varanasi features prominently in two, including the Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridors, extending connectivity to eastern and north-eastern regions. The corridors aim to reduce travel time and boost tourism, pilgrimage, business and regional economic activity. High-speed rail will reduce reliance on road transport for inter-city travel, easing pressure on local roads and highways around Varanasi. Apart from promoting environmentally sustainable passenger movement, it will contribute to lower overall emissions and pollution in connected regions. It will benefit from improved external connectivity to support tourism, pilgrimage, business and Smart City goals. Ship Repair EcosystemTo boost inland waterways and sustainable cargo movement, a ship repair ecosystem catering to inland waterways is to be set up in Varanasi and Patna. It will support river navigation in Ganga, local employment and related economic opportunities in the region. Varanasi in CERsWith the focus on Tier II and III cities and temple towns, this Budget emphasises developing City Economic Regions (CERs), with an allocation of Rs 5,000 crore per CER over 5 years, prioritising Tier II and III cities and temple towns like Varanasi for modern infrastructure, amenities, and agglomeration-based growth. For tourism and heritage push, it contains broader initiatives for developing archaeological and heritage sites like Sarnath in Varanasi, as mentioned in tourism related proposals. Varanasi, as a major spiritual and heritage destination, stands to benefit indirectly from overall tourism and sustainable transport focus. Although no highly specific allocations were made solely for Varanasi in the Budget speech highlights, Varanasi positions itself strongly as a beneficiary due to its cultural significance and strategic location in the proposed connectivity expansions. The district is also likely to benefit from several other provisions like Rs 10,000 crore MSME growth fun, Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative to strengthen khadi and handloom, mega textile parks and announcements to construct women’s hostels for promoting education and women empowerment.
