In Varanasi, bulldozers and earth-moving machines intensified the demolition of purchased buildings on Sunday. Police tightened security on Dalmandi street and worked to clear crowds, especially near Naisadak, to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Details of the Demolition Drive
Leading the police and central armed forces team securing the PWD and district administration during the demolition, ACP Dashaswamedh Atul Anjan Tripathi stated that the PWD team had a list of approximately 45 buildings. On Sunday, demolition of 25 of those buildings was completed, and announcements were made to begin work on the remaining 20.
Before accelerating the pace of demolition of purchased buildings, the PWD had finalized a list of 45, including 15 newly purchased buildings. Demolition of 60 buildings had already been completed earlier.
Project Details
To improve access to Kashi Vishwanath Dham's gate-4 from the Naisadak point on the Lahurabir-Godowlia road, and to shift load from other roads, especially the Maidagin-Godowlia route, a project worth Rs 224 crore was launched. This project aims to convert the 650-meter Dalmandi road into a 17.4-meter-wide road by purchasing or acquiring a total of 187 buildings and razing them.
Progress and Compensation
According to PWD officials, the process of registry for the purchase of 54 buildings has been completed so far. A total of Rs 39 crore has been distributed among 118 shareholders of these purchased buildings. Demolition of 62 buildings, including those declared dilapidated by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and illegal constructions detected by the Varanasi Development Authority, had been done before the drive was re-intensified from Saturday.
The demolition drive is part of a larger effort to ease congestion and improve infrastructure in the ancient city, particularly around the Kashi Vishwanath temple area.
