VARANASI: The demolition of structures for the Dalmandi road-widening project has resumed following a pause during Bakrid, with over 112 buildings now demolished. A total of 187 structures have been earmarked for removal as part of the initiative aimed at improving access to Kashi Vishwanath Dham from the Naisadak junction along the Lahurabir-Godowlia road.
Currently, demolition work is ongoing at 14 additional buildings, while discussions are in progress with the management of six mosques located in the project’s alignment.
On Sunday, PWD Executive Engineer KK Singh stated that the demolition count exceeded 100 as of Saturday and reached 112 by Sunday. “We’ve finalized plans for 14 more buildings, with demolition set to commence on Monday,” he added.
Most of the demolition on Sunday focused on structures deemed illegal by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). Officials confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with the management committees of the six mosques affected by the project to achieve a mutually agreeable resolution.
Regarding the acquisition process, Singh reported that over 90 buildings have been acquired through registered sale deeds for this road-widening effort. Compensation exceeding ₹50 crore has been distributed to the owners and stakeholders of these properties.
In addition to government-acquired structures, demolition is also targeting buildings classified as unsafe, dilapidated, or unauthorized by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and the VDA.
Security measures have been heightened in the project area, particularly where demolitions are ongoing in Dalmandi, with police and armed forces in anti-riot gear deployed to maintain order.
ACP (Dashaswamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi, overseeing the security setup, noted that drones are being used to monitor activity while efforts are being made to disperse crowds of onlookers.
The ₹224 crore project aims to enhance access to Gate-4 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham from the Naisadak point, alleviating traffic on the Maidagin-Godowlia route by transforming the 650-meter Dalmandi road into a 17.4-meter-wide thoroughfare through the acquisition and demolition of 187 buildings.
