Tag: Varanasi

InfrastructureLatest Stories

30+ buildings demolished for road expansion in Varanasi

Representative AI image VARANASI: On Thursday, significant portions of over 32 out of 41 buildings in the Baulia Lehartara area were demolished as part of the project for the six-lane Mohansarai-Cantt railway station road. Under strict security, a Public Works Department (PWD) team, led by Executive Engineer K.K. Singh, arrived with numerous earthmovers, bulldozers, loaders, and dumpers to begin the demolition. As part of the Rs 410 crore project, the work on the stretch from Mohansarai to Collectory Farm (Chandpur) is nearly complete. Despite serving eviction notices to building owners in 2025, the PWD had been unable to proceed with…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Varanasi’s ₹2,866 Crore Budget Aims for City Growth and Infrastructure

VARANASI: The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) forecasts an operational income of ₹2,070.61 crore for the financial year 2026-27, marking a substantial increase of about 448% from the previous year. In conjunction, a budget allocation of ₹2,069 crore has been made, reflecting a rise of approximately 343% compared to last year. Overall, a comprehensive budget of ₹2,866.20 crore was approved on Thursday. The budget is heavily focused on the city’s expansion, new townships, and infrastructure development. The primary revenue source identified in the budget is land sales and compensation, expected to generate about ₹1,206 crore. Additionally, around ₹575 crore has been…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

UP allocates ₹425 crore for townships in 8 cities

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹425 crore for the development of new townships in eight major cities. Under the Chief Minister’s New Township Scheme, development authorities submitted proposals for funding to the state government. This allocation will act as seed capital for townships in Bareilly, Varanasi, Orai, Chitrakoot, Banda, Pratapgarh, Ghazipur, and Mau. The initiative aims to promote organized development in response to the rapidly expanding urban population and to offer improved housing options for residents. The government will provide up to 50% of the costs related to land acquisition as seed capital, available for a maximum duration…

Latest StoriesResidential

Varanasi body advances group housing, approves 474 layouts

Representative AI image VARANASI: The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) is experiencing positive results from its new strategies to engage builders in developing planned colonies, with over 474 layouts now approved. However, it has come to light that builders have not obtained completion certificates for 73 group housing projects, despite allotting and occupying flats in these developments. Completion certificates, issued by competent authorities like the VDA, ensure compliance with building regulations and safety standards. This process involves verification of construction quality, adherence to approved plans, and completion before any possession is granted to buyers. In reviewing its records, the VDA discovered…

IndustryLatest Stories

Uttar Pradesh Housing Panel Launches Phase Two of Rule Easing

LUCKNOW: On Tuesday, the UP housing department established a six-member committee, chaired by the housing secretary, to initiate the second phase of the compliance reduction and deregulation process. This committee will consist of vice-chairmen from Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ghaziabad, along with the state’s chief town planner and Awas Bandhu’s director. After securing the top position in the first phase of the deregulation initiative nationwide, the UP government has tasked key departments with identifying bottlenecks causing delays in processing applications from individuals and private entities. “We will assess all our services to enhance the working environment for all stakeholders. Our primary…

Latest StoriesResidential

Uttar Pradesh Housing Board Offers 4,200 Homes in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Individuals and families looking to purchase residential units in apartment blocks and developments established by housing authorities can now do so without the hassle of making multiple trips to local government offices. The housing department has directed 29 housing development authorities, along with the UP Housing Board, to compile a centralized list of available properties. The list will be accessible on the portals managed by individual authorities (including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi) and the housing department’s portal. To encourage potential buyers, relevant government agencies are required to upload recent photographs of the available units along with their geo-coordinates (Google Map).…

Latest StoriesResidential

Varanasi Development Body Grants 82 Houses Under PMAY

Varanasi: The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has allocated 82 houses under the Prime Minister’s Housing scheme as of Wednesday. The allocation was carried out through a lottery held at the Girija Devi Cultural Complex in Chowkaghat. The lottery involved a transparent allocation of 82 houses in the Harhua and Kurhua villages among a total of 642 beneficiaries. The process was conducted in the presence of beneficiaries to ensure fairness and transparency. VDA Vice-Chairman Pulkit Garg, additional district magistrate (Finance/Revenue) Vandita Srivastava, secretary Ved Prakash Mishra, and District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) project officer Nidhi Vajpayee were present at the event.…

IndustryLatest Stories

Varanasi Body Launches Campaign for New Building Bylaws

Representative image created by AI VARANASI: The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) is ramping up its initiative to educate the public about the UP Development Authority Building Construction and Development Bylaws-2025 and the Model Zoning Regulation-2025. After the state government endorsed the Building Construction and Development Bylaws-2025 designed to simplify the construction process, promote eco-friendly buildings, and support vertical growth, VDA Vice Chairman Pulkit Garg emphasized the agency’s commitment to spreading awareness through workshops and events aimed at informing builders and property owners of its benefits. Officials are also addressing concerns regarding provisions that require the approval of maps only for…