With an aim to improve infrastructure in Varanasi, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in the lok Sabha, Union Urban Development Ministry on Friday took stock of the essential facilities in the heritage city.
A meeting of the officials concerned from the heritage city was held here to chalk out an action plan for the development of Varanasi, according to a senior UD Ministry official.
The mayor of Varanasi, two MlAs from the city and senior officials of urban local bodies like Varanasi Municipal Corporation, Varanasi Development Authority, Jal Nigam and Town Planning officials attended the meeting which was convened by UD Secretary Shankar Aggarwal.
The objective of the meeting was to take stock of the infrastructure scenario in the city and obtain the views and suggestions of all concerned regarding its development.
At the meeting, the issues of urban mobility in Varanasi and the infrastructural availability in respect of water supply, drainage and sewerage systems were discussed in detail along with the projects which are in progress, the official said.
Aggarwal urged all the agencies concerned to inform the ministry about their overall plans for execution of projects along with the timeframe for the completion of the same.
He also sought the view of the officials on the development of small, new satellite townships close to Varanasi. The participants at the meeting felt the plan would be feasible if proper connectivity was provided with Varanasi.
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation may be picked up for execution of the Varanasi Development Plan under the Heritage City Development Scheme. It was also felt that Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi should be the nodal officer for facilitating better coordination between all the agencies concerned and the Uttar Pradesh Government.
The Government has decided to develop Varanasi into a 'smart city' by using the experience of Kyoto, the 'smart city' of Japan, for which a pact has been signed between the two countries in August during Modi's visit.
As per MoU, the two countries will cooperate to develop Varanasi in heritage conservation, city modernisation and cooperation in the fields of art, culture and academics.