In one of the most low profile function in the recent past, Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched developmental projects worth over Rs 365 crores including a new FM station, branches of commercial banks and roads besides laid the foundation stone for a new railway track during her four hour visit to her parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli on Monday.
Unlike other leaders who used to address the gathering collected on the occasion, Sonia Gandhi not spoke a single word publically and also maintained a safe distance from the media persons. However, she not missed the opportunity to make one-to-one interaction with the local public who came with their problems. Interestingly, this time Sonia also not brought her daughter Priyanka Gandhi who accompanied her on last visit when Congress president laid foundation of AIIMS like hospital in her constituency besides a wagon-wheel factory to cater the lalganj rail coach factory.
Starting her day with inauguration of 12 roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGRY) at Saraimughla village under Rahi block, Sonia Gandhi also laid the foundation stone for 45 roads. The total project cost around Rs 80 crores. later she laid the foundation stone for water treatment plants at 110 villages with an estimated cost of Rs 20 crores. These villages are infected with arsenic in the ground water.
Thereafter Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the UPA-11 government, inaugurated the FM Radio station at Puranpur village under Amawav block. FM Rainbow, available at a frequency of 102.8 mhz, will cater to the information and entertainment needs of the people. On the occasion, Sonia Gandhi's message was broadcasted and the local artists gave their performance. The FM radio station would be of 20 kilowatt and people of 8 adjoining districts covering around 100 kilometers can hear the programme. later she inaugurated 13 branches of the United Bank of India (UBI) at Patwara village in Harchandpur.
The Congress president concluded her programme by laying the foundation stone for Rae Bareli-Maharajganj- Akbarganj track of 47 kilometers at Maharajganj. The new railway track will connect Mahrajganj tehsil of Rae Bareli with the lucknow-Sultanpur rail route. Besides, Rae Bareli will also be connected to Faizabad by the shortest railway route. Railways would spent around Rs 256 crore for laying the new track. later Sonia Gandhi flew back to New Delhi concluding her brief but very fruitful tour for the people of her constituency.