VARANASI: Following a stay order from the high court preventing the demolition of three buildings as part of the Dalmandi road widening project, the Public Works Department (PWD) proceeded to demolish 13 other structures and clear debris on Sunday.
Under strict security, PWD Executive Engineer K.K. Singh and ACP (Dashaswamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi oversaw the demolition, which was monitored via drone surveillance. A total of 13 buildings were demolished, including eight recently acquired by the PWD and five that had received notices from the Varanasi Municipal Corporation.
Overall, close to 150 buildings have been demolished in the ongoing operation. The current project, amounting to ₹224 crore, aims to expand the 650-meter Dalmandi road to a width of 17.4 meters through the removal of 187 buildings.
The widened road is expected to enhance access to Gate 4 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham from the Naisadak point on the Lahurabir-Godowlia road, easing commuter traffic from other routes, particularly the Maidagin-Godowlia route leading to the shrine area.
Despite the high court’s order on Saturday that provided temporary relief to the owners of three buildings and instructed authorities to maintain the current status, demolition efforts continued at a rapid pace.
