Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in the heart of Varanasi, a mega project that is expected to boost tourism in the ancient city in a big way.

This inauguration of the infrastructure surrounding the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple near the iconic Dashashwamedh Ghat comes ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year.

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Here are 5 lesser known facts about the project:

a. With a paved 75-metre wide corridor, the ambitious project worth more than Rs 900 crore connects Kashi Vishwanath Temple and river Ganga.

b. As many as 23 buildings, constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crore, have been inaugurated.

Also read: In picture: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath corridor

c. The buildings will provide a variety of facilities to the pilgrims visiting the temple, including yatri suvidha kendras, tourist facilitation centre, vedic kendra, viewing gallery, food court, among others.

d. The project involved the purchase and acquisition of more than 300 properties around the temple.

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e. Coincidence or not, PM Modi dedicated the newly developed Kashi Vishwanath Dham to the people on December 13 — a ‘Somvar’ (Monday) and considered as the favourite day of Lord Shiva.