Varanasi Municipal Corporation speeds up tourism and traffic infrastructure projects

The Varanasi Municipal Corporation is advancing development projects to enhance tourism and improve the city’s traffic management.

A mechanised multi-level car parking facility is being constructed in the Assi Ghat and Bhadaini areas at a cost of ₹9.84 crore, alongside a modern food plaza costing ₹2.14 crore. These initiatives aim to streamline traffic flow and provide better amenities for tourists.

Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal conducted a detailed inspection on October 4 of multiple sites including Assi Ghat, Pushkar Kund, Ravindrapuri, and Bhelupur to assess progress and cleanliness.

During the visit, Commissioner Nagpal reviewed the Assi Food Plaza construction and instructed the contractor to expedite completion within one month. He noted that the plaza would offer tourists from India and abroad a contemporary experience of Banarasi cuisine amid the popular Assi morning gatherings.

Regarding the multi-level car parking project, intended to alleviate traffic congestion along the ghats, the commissioner directed timely completion.

He also ordered the repair of interlocking roads, construction of drains, and enhancement of roadside landscaping along the route from Assi to Pushkar Kund.

At Pushkar Kund, Nagpal instructed street widening and the immediate removal of illegal encroachments. He further mandated thorough cleaning of the foothills to improve water sanitation and maintenance of the Kund.

Additional directives included the restoration of non-functional streetlights on the Ravindrapuri to Gurudham Square route and beautification of the divider in front of the Jalkal Sansthan complex in Bhelupur.

During the inspection of toilets and public amenities, the commissioner found that some locations, such as the no-water-use urinals/toilets on Gurudham Road and Assi Ghat, lacked prescribed rate lists and standard facilities like hand dryers. Expressing serious dissatisfaction, he instructed officials to ensure all public and community toilets display rate lists and to undertake immediate repairs of missing or faulty amenities.

The inspection was attended by senior Municipal Corporation officials, departmental engineers, and representatives from implementing agencies.