Varanasi: It took nearly four years to complete the mammoth task of increasing the Kashi Vishwanath temple area from just 2700 sq ft to 5 lakh sq ft. Vishwanath Dham, and the executives handling the project struggled with new challenges every day.
Initiating talks to buy old buildings, demolish them, remove debris through narrow, winding lanes in congested areas, rehabilitate the displaced while keeping Kashi’s intrinsic culture and tradition intact, seemed like an impossible task at hand. Was.
Recalling the visit, Divisional Commissioner and Chairman of Shree Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board Deepak Agarwal said, “Our first test was to ensure that the culture and religious traditions remained undisturbed as commercial activities expanded into a densely populated area. Was. ,
In the initial survey for the project, 166 buildings were identified, but after two plan revisions, 320 buildings were earmarked, and then complex negotiations with the owners began, he said.
“There were many tenants who paid nominal rent, many properties belonged to trusts or religious bodies, while some of the owners had shifted abroad. There was opposition of different colours, including political,” he said.
Agarwal said that a total of 1111 people were explained and rehabilitated through transparent talks.
“A total of Rs 390 crore was spent on the purchase of buildings and around Rs 100 crore on rehabilitation. There were further difficulties when temples were found in many buildings. The buildings had to be demolished manually to ensure that the temples were not damaged,” said Agarwal.
It was also a challenging task to clear the post demolition debris through congested lanes and uneven ground while ensuring that the supply of sewage, water and electricity is not affected.
“During all this, we had to ensure that the entry of devotees KVT was not disturbed. Since the KVT is in the Red Zone (Internal Security Circle) of the most sensitive KVT-Gyanvapi complex, we had to be extra cautious in allowing entry to people engaged in construction work,” said Agarwal.
When 70% of the identified buildings were bought and demolished, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi On 8th March 2019, the foundation stone of KVD was laid.
And, when construction began in February 2020, the Covid-19 waves and the lockdown multiplied our challenges as the project was scheduled to be completed in August, he said.
“We tried our best to keep the work going amidst all the restrictions and protocols. PWD executive engineer Sanjay Gore, who is overseeing the project, said that we have ensured all the facilities which pilgrims can dream of in any major temple.
Initiating talks to buy old buildings, demolish them, remove debris through narrow, winding lanes in congested areas, rehabilitate the displaced while keeping Kashi’s intrinsic culture and tradition intact, seemed like an impossible task at hand. Was.
Recalling the visit, Divisional Commissioner and Chairman of Shree Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board Deepak Agarwal said, “Our first test was to ensure that the culture and religious traditions remained undisturbed as commercial activities expanded into a densely populated area. Was. ,
In the initial survey for the project, 166 buildings were identified, but after two plan revisions, 320 buildings were earmarked, and then complex negotiations with the owners began, he said.
“There were many tenants who paid nominal rent, many properties belonged to trusts or religious bodies, while some of the owners had shifted abroad. There was opposition of different colours, including political,” he said.
Agarwal said that a total of 1111 people were explained and rehabilitated through transparent talks.
“A total of Rs 390 crore was spent on the purchase of buildings and around Rs 100 crore on rehabilitation. There were further difficulties when temples were found in many buildings. The buildings had to be demolished manually to ensure that the temples were not damaged,” said Agarwal.
It was also a challenging task to clear the post demolition debris through congested lanes and uneven ground while ensuring that the supply of sewage, water and electricity is not affected.
“During all this, we had to ensure that the entry of devotees KVT was not disturbed. Since the KVT is in the Red Zone (Internal Security Circle) of the most sensitive KVT-Gyanvapi complex, we had to be extra cautious in allowing entry to people engaged in construction work,” said Agarwal.
When 70% of the identified buildings were bought and demolished, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi On 8th March 2019, the foundation stone of KVD was laid.
And, when construction began in February 2020, the Covid-19 waves and the lockdown multiplied our challenges as the project was scheduled to be completed in August, he said.
“We tried our best to keep the work going amidst all the restrictions and protocols. PWD executive engineer Sanjay Gore, who is overseeing the project, said that we have ensured all the facilities which pilgrims can dream of in any major temple.
,