Some hopes fulfilled in Kashi, others not
VARANASI: Like thousands of others in Varanasi, Subrat Mukherjee was elated when Narendra Modi took oath as the prime minister in New Delhi three years ago.
Mukherjee hoped for huge infrastructure development, lush green parks, smooth roads free from encroachment, clean lanes and no traffic jams in Varanasi represented by Modi in the Lok Sabha.
Three-years on, locals like Mukherjee are disappointed since their many hopes are yet to materialise. Many stretches of the Ramapura-Rewari Talab road give commuters a bumpy ride. Garbage is strewn along Rajendra Prasad Ghat. Drains still overflow in Ausanganj and several other locations. Many of the 164 parks are bare. Mukherjee says, “We hoped that the roads in Kashi will be free from traffic congestion, encroachment and potholes. We also hoped that all the parks will turn lush green. After three years, many parks look deserted.”
Recently, seven parks were adopted by companies for proper development. These parks will get asphalt road, drinking water facility and plants.
On the bright side, Mukherjee says schemes like the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) have brought change for the better. But the development work carried out is less than expected.
Green crusader Satyendra Keshari says, “Cleanliness is confined to the ghats and major roads. Many parks across the city are ignored.” He says tall claims have been made about cleaning the Ganga but more than 40 big and small drains are still emptying into the river.
Dustbins have been set up at the ghats. Lanes too are a bit cleaner but polythene and wrappers are strewn at a few spots.
Sanitation activist Temsutula Imsong, who voluntarily cleans the ghats from time to time, says: “Efforts by volunteers and Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) sanitation workers under the Swachh Bharat mission have brought about a positive change. Many ghats are cleaned daily. Others undergo cleaning once or twice a week. Locals need to join the campaign to ensure cent percent cleanliness at ghats, lanes and across the city.”
Imsong observes though the city has undergone a visible transformation in the last three years, the goal of complete cleanliness is yet to be achieved.
Rajiv Rai, resident of Telia Bagh, says the PM launched the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Urja Ganga, Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), HRIDAY, Namami Gange, Ring Road, NIFT centre, Perishable Cargo Centre and several other road projects in Varanasi.
Work under these schemes is in progress. Underground cabling has been done in several areas. Kabir Nagar has been developed and heritage lighting has been set up at various roads. Change will be visible after completion of the projects, Rai says.
Mayor Ram Gopal Mohale says, “Many development works have been carried out across the city. Many others are underway. Streets, lanes and ghats are cleaner. Many spots have been beautified. Many parks have been beautified.”