VARANASI, March 29 -- Hardeep Singh Puri, Union petroleum and natural gas minister, on Saturday virtually laid the foundation stone for 64 out of 100 development projects sanctioned under the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in Sonbhadra district. These projects are worth around Rs.3.94 crore, said officials in a press communique. Speaking on the occasion, Puri said that he shares a deep bond with Sonbhadra. The minister said the upcoming projects will accelerate the district's development and contribute significantly to making the lives of its residents more convenient. He said that despite being an aspirational district, Sonbhadra is continuously contributing towards realising Prime Minister Modi's 'Viksit Bharat' vision. Badrinath Singh, Sonbhadra DM, said the Union minister has facilitated the sanctioning of a total of 100 development projects for the district. These primarily include 31 public solar drinking water plants, 34 solar high-mast lights, 20 electric high-mast lights, 6 electrification works, two interlocking paving works, two road/culvert projects, building construction in four schools, and one open gym. Expressing his gratitude to the minister, the DM said the district will continue to benefit from his guidance and support in the future as well. Chief development officer Jagrati Awasthi said that it will be ensured that the projects are completed within the stipulated time. BJP district unit chief Nandlal Gupta, Shravan Kumar Rai, project director, District Rural Development Agency , Gyanendra Singh Bhadauria of the district social welfare department along with officials from the implementing departments were present on the occasion....