Varanasi's Dalmandi Road Widening Project Accelerates with Demolitions
Demolition work on Dalmandi street in Varanasi gained momentum on Tuesday. Authorities continued tearing down purchased buildings at the Chowk and Naisadak entry points. Simultaneously, they initiated action against an illegally constructed building located near the middle of this 650-metre stretch.
Security and Operations in Full Swing
Security forces were heavily deployed as demolition resumed. Bulldozers rolled in to clear debris, replacing slower manual methods. ACP Atul Anjan Tripathi led the operation with police and paramilitary personnel stationed inside the street. Drones monitored the densely populated area to ensure safety.
The Varanasi Development Authority team focused on a multi-storey building deemed illegal. They began demolition from the top floor. Shopkeepers operating on the ground floor requested time to remove their stock. Officials granted permission, allowing them to complete this work before proceeding with the upper floors.
Progress on Property Acquisition
The Public Works Department is making steady progress on property acquisition for the massive project. By Tuesday, the registry process was completed for four more buildings. This brings the total number of purchased buildings to twenty-four.
PWD's executive engineer KK Singh confirmed this development. Documents from twenty other building owners are currently under examination. Demolition activities are expected to expand to additional areas starting Wednesday.
Project Overview and Timeline
The Rs 224 crore project aims to widen Dalmandi road to 17.4 metres. This improvement will enhance access to Gate No 4 of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Better connectivity between the Lahurabir-Girjaghar road and Naisadak point is a key goal.
Authorities have marked 187 buildings for demolition overall. Work had paused after clearing six buildings on November 20. The registry process for twenty more buildings was completed ahead of resuming operations on January 8. The process of purchasing the remaining properties continues.
This infrastructure push represents a significant step in Varanasi's urban development. Residents and business owners watch closely as the landscape of Dalmandi street transforms.
