Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in the city here on Tuesday on a one-day visit. By road from Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport, Babatpur, he first reached Wajidpur located on Harhua-Sarnath Ring Road and reviewed the preparations for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme to be held here on July 7. He directed the officers that all the preparations should be completed on time. There should be no shortage on the spot. Keeping in view the possible rains, he specially emphasised on proper preparations being done with utmost importance.
After that, during the meeting with the officials at Circuit House, the CM said that it is a matter of good fortune that the PM is coming to Varanasi in the month of Shrawan itself. “It is the responsibility of all of us to make the programme successful,” he said, Describing the need to pay special attention to the cleanliness of the city, he said that a campaign for ‘Plastic-free Kashi’ should be launched for the next two days. Directing the engineers of the Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation, Varanasi Development Authority and National Highway Authority of India, he said that all the roads should be pothole-free by campaigning on a war footing.
Along with the PM’s programme, he gave strict instructions to the engineers of the Electricity department to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the city during the month of Shrawan. He said that special attention should be paid to the safety and convenience of the beneficiaries coming from other districts to participate in the PM’s programme and added that there must be security personnel and workers in every vehicle. Yogi also directed the officers of PWD, Fire Safety and Fire Brigade to ensure that safety standards are followed at the venues at all costs. “Do not be negligent in any case,” he said, emphasising that it is the rainy season, there should not be any open electric wire at the venue, only fresh electric wire should be used.
Yogi instructed the officers to make lighting decorations on the occasion of the PM’s arrival, similar to the electrical decorations done in the city during the G-20 programme. Instructing the high officials of the police, he said that strict and adequate security arrangements should be ensured at the venues. Along with this, while giving instructions to keep the city’s traffic system foolproof, he said that information about route diversions during the programme should be made available to the general public on time so that they do not have to face any kind of problems. “Cattle and stray animals should not be seen roaming freely on the roads,” he said, instructing the officers not to allow encroachment on the roads to facilitate the traffic system of the city and wherever there is encroachment, it should be removed immediately. He also said that the image of Kashi should be visible as per the intention of the PM.
In the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma and police officers gave detailed information about the preparations made so far related to the PM’s visit by making a digital presentation. The CM appeared satisfied with the administrative arrangements made so far.
UP Ministers Anil Rajbhar, Ravindra Jaiswal and Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Zila Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Maurya, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, district BJP chief and MLC Hansraj Vishwakarma, MLA Saurabh Srivastava, city BJP president Vidya Sagar Rai, District Magistrate S Rajalingam and many other senior officers were also present. Later, Yogi reached Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) and offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the first day of Shrawan. He also inspected the preparations of the Shrawan month. Prior to this, he also offered prayers at Kal Bhairav Temple.