This holy city is all set to add a new chapter in restoring its ancient glory when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (KVC) project here on Monday.
For the prime minister’s two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, elaborate security arrangements have been made. Apart from the Special Protection Group (SPG) team, as many as 122 IPS officers will look after the security arrangements at all the places where the prime minister is scheduled to visit.
Not only the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor premises, but also almost all the important places, stations, roads and others have been decorated with attractive lighting arrangements as the city is in a festive mood.
The security arrangements have not only been tightened at Kashi Vishwanath Corridor premises but also in the river Ganga and in the air because after dedicating the KVC project to the nation, Modi will watch the glittering ghats between Rajghat to Sant Ravidas Ghat and later on see the Ganga Maha-aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
During his boat ride, three companies of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with police and PAC personnel will be deployed. Ganga Dewa Nidhi is all set to organise the Ganga Maha-aarti on the same line as it was performed a few years ago when it was watched by Modi, along with his then Japanese counterpart Shinze Abe.
During his visit to Varanasi, as the prime minister will stay in Officers’ Guest House of Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), tight security has also been made there. Besides, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also made its own security plan.
On Tuesday, the prime minister will go to Swarved Mahamandir at Umraha on Varanasi-Ghazipur highway where he will address its annual function.
Aapart from 22 IPS ranked senior officers, 25 ASPs, 60 DSPs, 400 inspectors and sub-inspectors, 2,500 cops, six companies of PAC, three of NDRF and four of para-military forces will be deployed there. The charge of Swarved Mahamandir programme will be in the hands of five IPS apart from SPG team.
The opening function of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project dedication will not only be attended by Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda but also several chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and almost all the top party leaders. Besides, a large number of senior Hindu religious leaders from across the country will also attend the programme.
Meanwhile, the security fleet made its rehearsal to ensure foolproof arrangements at all the places where Modi is scheduled to visit. The top police officers of the state reviewed the security arrangements and gave instructions to the police personnel. For the last many days, senior ministers of the Yogi government have been camping in the city. It was also a hectic day for the administrative officers to ensure foolproof security and other arrangements.
On the eve of the prime minister’s visit, the entire city was seen in a festive mood. For the last many days, a massive cleanliness drive has been underway and in this direction, senior BJP leaders along with 1,008 people offered shramdan between Maidagin to KVC premises. Apart from this, several Shiv Barats, Shivanjali processions and other bhajan-kirtan programmes were organised in different parts of the city throughout the day.
An outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s great vision for Kashi, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor on the one hand facilitates hassle-free movement of devotees between river Ganga and the temple and, on the other, paves way for development of not only Varanasi, but the entire Purvanchal region, enhancing tourism as well as business and trade and creating ample employment opportunities for the youth from the region.
The 20-25 feet wide corridor connects Lalita Ghat on the bank of Ganga to the Mandir Chowk on temple premises. Prior to the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Kashi Vishwanath temple lacked direct visibility from the Ganga and devotees had to go through numerous narrow, dirty and congested lanes to enter the temple.
Prime Minister Modi’s vision was to transform Kashi into a smart city through the corridor with all facilities for pilgrims and tourists while preserving its rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The 70-km-long Panchkosi route has been given an international look with the beautification of 108 main temples, 44 dharamshalas (shelter homes), kund (pool) and yatri niwas (guest houses).
Godowlia multi-level parking lot has been built to accommodate hundreds of vehicles of visitors and tourists while a cruise facility has also been introduced in the Ganga to boost tourism. Three-lane flyoverbridge has been constructed on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway. There are food courts and open cafes.
Rudraksh Convention Centre, inspired by Kashi’s tradition of people-friendly spaces, has been constructed with the help of Japan at a cost of Rs 186 crore. Designed like a Shivalinga with 108 Rudrakshas on its façade, the centre has a seating capacity for 1,200 people. With modern facilities like divisible meeting rooms, art gallery and multi-purpose pre-function areas, the centre provides opportunities for artists to showcase their works and interact with people.
An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) has been set up for effective traffic and police management and tackling medical emergencies. The ICCC proved to be of great help during the novel coronavirus pandemic as it facilitated coordination between various administrative departments and helped arrange logistics.
