New Delhi, Jul 13 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on July 15 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 1,500 crore.

Modi's visit to Varanasi is significant considering the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh next year. This visit looks set to kick-off the BJP's assembly election campaign as the Prime Minister will address a public meeting after the inauguration of the projects.

This will be Modi's first trip to his constituency this year.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate various public projects and works, including a 100 bed MCH wing in Banaras Hindu University (BHU), multi-level parking at Godauliya, Ro-Ro Vessels for tourism development on the Ganga river and three lane flyover bridge on the Varanasi-Ghazipur Highway.

Projects worth around Rs 744 crore will be inaugurated, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office mentioned, adding he will also lay the foundation stones of several projects and public works worth around Rs 839 crore.

These include the Centre for Skill and Technical Support of Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology (CIPET), 143 rural projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission and a mango and vegetable integrated pack house in Karkhiyanv.

At around 12.15 p.m. on the day, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the International Cooperation and Convention Centre -- Rudrakash, which has been constructed with Japanese assistance.

Thereafter, he will inspect the Maternal and Child Health Wing at BHU at around 2 p.m. He will also meet officials and medical professionals to review Covid preparedness.