Varanasi, May 4 (UNI) Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is rapidly emerging as a major attraction for both Indian and international tourists, official sources swaid here on Sunday.

Sources said that the double-engine government has not only transformed the infrastructure of this ancient city, but has also placed it firmly on the global tourism map. "Be it Kashi or other districts of Uttar Pradesh, the state has seen a remarkable surge in tourist footfall," they said.

Sources said that according to data from the Tourism Department, Indian tourist visits to Kashi soared by 77.59 percent in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March) compared to the same period in 2024. "Foreign tourist arrivals also saw a significant rise of 34.21 percent during this time," they said.

Deputy Director of Tourism Department Rajendra Rawat said that Kashi welcomed 2,56,78,631 (2.56 crore) visitors from January to March in 2024. "This number shot up to 11,46,11,239 (11.46 crore) in the first three months of 2025. "That's an increase of 8,89,32,608 (nearly 8.89 crore) domestic tourists within a year. Foreign tourist numbers also went up from 98,961 in 2024 to 1,50,425 in 2025, an increase of 51,464 visitors in just three months," he said.

He said that the city's spiritual aura, combined with the visible development, from revamped ghats and better roads to improved sanitation and modern amenities, has made Kashi a must-visit destination.

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