Now Reading: Varanasi Dalmandi road widening starts, 181 buildings demolished
-
01
Varanasi Dalmandi road widening starts, 181 buildings demolished
The groundbreaking ceremony for the widening of Varanasi's Dalmandi road was held on Sunday, Hindustan Times reports. The 650-metre stretch will be expanded from 5.6 metres to 17.5 metres at a cost…
The Story in Brief
The groundbreaking ceremony for the widening of Varanasi's Dalmandi road was held on Sunday, Hindustan Times reports. The 650-metre stretch will be expanded from 5.6 metres to 17.5 metres at a cost of Rs 216 crore. A total of 181 buildings were purchased and demolished after compensation was paid. Portions of six religious sites were also razed.
The project, approved by the state cabinet on July 22, aims to ease congestion at Godaulia intersection and improve access to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It includes footpaths, underground utilities, Wi-Fi and greenery. Completion is targeted by November 2026. The Public Works Department is executing the work.
The Indian Opinion
The road widening is portrayed as a win for pilgrims, while critics decry the loss of old structures. The truth may sit in between: compensation was paid, but details on valuations and the fate of six religious sites remain unclear. The state calls it vital infrastructure; accountability matters. The test will be whether the November 2026 deadline sticks and whether any legal challenge emerges from affected owners.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
