Varanasi: Neglected by civic and state authorites all these years, both the union and Uttar Pradesh governments are now competing to clean up and develop Varanasi, now represented in parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A string of development and beautification schemes has been unleashed in Varanasi since Modi won a thumping election victory in May.
Union Minister of State for Tourism Sripad Naik announced here that Varanasi was on top of the Modi government’s agenda and that results will show up soon. He said Rs.17.7 crore has been released to beautify and maintain Varanasi’s famed ghats along the Ganga.
“The priority is to ensure that the ghats retain their heritage look and are clean. Pilgrims must get due facilities,” Naik told IANS.
Six of the ghats have been handed over to NGO Sulabh International to ensure cleanliness and for maintenance, officials said.
Round-the-clock work is on at the Varanasi Cantonment railway station as part of New Delhi’s mission to upgrade 24 railway stations across India.
The flooring of the stairs are being changed from concrete to granite, platforms are getting a new face, new eateries are opening and the waiting rooms are being spruced up.
A sum of Rs.12.5 crore was released in July for the initial upgrade.
Naik said the central government was committed to promoting religious tourism. A sum of Rs.100 crore had been earmarked, while Rs.500 crore has been given to promote the Buddhist circuit. Varanasi Mayor Ram Gopal Mohile told IANS that the Prime Minister’s Office was taking deep interest in the development of Kashi — as Varanasi has been known for centuries.
“Very soon the wheels of development will begin moving faster,” the minister said. (IANS)
