Development projects in Varanasi should be completed at the earliest: UP CM

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a review meeting, on Tuesday directed officers to expedite work on the ongoing development projects in Varanasi.

Referring to Varanasi as the most ancient city on earth and one which is symbol of our rich traditions and culture, UP CM also announced that Urban Development Minister Suresh Khanna will visit Varanasi on April 15, 2017 to inspect the work on these projects.

The Chief Minister also observed that work in Varanasi and neighbouring areas was slow in ratio to the funds allocated by the union government. He also forewarned officers to ensure that work on these projects is reflected on the ground within three months.

Yogi Adityanath reviewed the works rolled out in Varanasi under Urban Development, power, tourism, public works department, housing and urban planning, irrigation department, Varanasi Development Authority and NHAI. Expressing his displeasure at the delays and obstacles in the way of NHAI projects, the Yogi Adityanath directed the local administration to extend all possible cooperation.

He added that in the eight districts where roads are being linked to Varanasi, the delay in payments to farmers whose land has been acquired was a serious matter and named district magistrates as nodal officers while giving terse orders for distribution of the compensation within fifteen days.

It may be pointed out here that roads like Varanasi-Gorakhpur, Varanasi-Lucknow and Varanasi ring road and others are being constructed by the NHAI in which many stumbling blocks like nonpayment of compensation and obstacles in Varanasi ring road have come to light.

UP CM took grim view of this and said roads being built by the NHAI will benefit the state and hence in this matter the DM’s should provide all possible cooperation to the Authority and ensure that problems are sorted out at war footing.

He also instructed officers to get tough with people who are trying to unnecessarily delay the projects and inform their superior about the issues.

He also assured the NHAI officers that they should bring to the notice of district magistrates and divisional commissioners any problem they are facing with regards to timely execution of projects.

To smoothen traffic in the city, the Chief Minister directed that both the under construction bridge in the city be completed by June 30, 2017 and asked the UP Bridge Corporation to provide work force as per need.

Yogi also directed additional chief secretary of the PWD to himself go and inspect the projects on the ground and ensure that the obstacles are removed at the earliest. He also ordered immediate release of Rs 90 lakh to the PWD for completion of the under-construction ROB at Maduadeeh and for shifting of the sewer line from there.

UP CM also directed the divisional commissioner to initiate talks with Railway authorities and to get the work on ROB completed by June 30. In the same way, he added, work on the 1710 meter flyover linking Chauka Ghat to Lahartara be completed by March 2018. He pointed out that the Bridge Corporation had unnecessarily delayed the project and warned officers against such laxity.

To improve traffic situation in the city, the Chief Minister gave green signal to the proposal to make a five km four-lane road between Shivpur-Lahartara (Phulwaria) and a bridge on Varuna river at Kuniya Ghat.

With this, a project of Rs. 88 crore for making dividers on all roads by the PWD and surface layering was also approved through which all roads will be made good and dust free.

Expressing his displeasure at the road cutting by various agencies from time to time for their works, the Chief Minister said all roads in the city should have a facility of covered drains, which on a fixed rate would be made available to the Municipal Corporation through which pipe or wires are moved and work done.

Yogi Adityanath also issued instructions to officers to make adequate multi-level parking in the city keeping in mind the narrow and congested lanes. In the first phase these parkings would be made by the municipal corporations and the second by the PWD. With this the commissioner was authorized for PPP model parkings.

Yogi asked officers to pay special attention to the 59-km long Panchkosi path and asked the PWD to prepare a DPR for construction of sidewalks along with two lane road. Orders were also issued to make places for people to sit and rest and also construct wash rooms and to make DPR for the long pending Transportnagar, for which help will be taken from the surface transport department of the GoI.

UP CM also asked officers to seriously work on the project to make Varanasi ODF by October 2, 2017.

Reviewing the projects under Namami Gange, the Chief Minister sought early completion of the under-construction Goithahan and Deenapur projects and the Ramana project.

Taking a serious view of the drinking water supply problem seriously, Yogi Adityanath ordered a probe by the TAC of the works undertaken by the Jal Nigam under the JNNURM.

With regards to cleanliness of the city some instructions were also given and Yogi asked officers to establish a gaushala on the lines of the Kanha Upvan in Lucknow.

He also directed officers to complete the underground cabling work by September 2017. He also asked the tourism department to expedite work on various projects and said that people and faith is linked to them. He also called for necessary steps to make grand and open environment around the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Keshav Prasad Maurya, Urban Development Minister Mr. Suresh Khanna, tourism Minister Mrs. Rita Bahuguna Joshi and senior officers.

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