The demolition drive for the Dalmandi road-widening project in Varanasi resumed after a pause during Bakrid, with the number of structures razed crossing 112. A total of 187 buildings have been identified for demolition under the project, which aims to improve access to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham from the Naisadak junction on the Lahurabir-Godowlia road.
Progress of Demolition Work
Demolition work is progressing at 14 more buildings, while officials continue negotiations with the management of six mosques coming in the alignment of the project. PWD executive engineer KK Singh on Sunday said the number of buildings demolished under the project crossed the 100-mark on Saturday and reached 112 by Sunday. "A list of 14 more buildings has been finalised, and demolition of these structures will begin from Monday," he said.
Most of the demolition activity on Sunday was carried out on structures that had been declared illegal by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). Regarding the six mosques likely to be affected by the project, officials said discussions with their respective management committees are continuing, and designated officials are engaged in negotiations to arrive at an amicable solution.
Compensation and Acquisition
Speaking about the acquisition process, Singh said that more than 90 buildings have so far been purchased through registered sale deeds for the road-widening project. Compensation exceeding ₹50 crore has been disbursed among the owners and shareholders of these properties, he added. Besides the structures acquired by the PWD, demolition is also being carried out on buildings that have been declared unsafe, dilapidated or unauthorised by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA).
Security and Monitoring
Apart from the police, armed forces with anti-riot gear remain deployed in the project area, especially where the demolition works are being done in Dalmandi. ACP (Dashaswamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi, who is monitoring the security arrangements, said drones are being utilised to monitor the area while a major exercise is also being done to remove crowds of onlookers.
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, the project of ₹224 crore was launched to convert the 650 metre Dalmandi road into a 17.4 metre-wide road by purchasing or acquiring a total of 187 buildings and razing them.
