Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Heritage Walk: Rajan-Sajan to approach PM

- Sudhir Kumar sudhir.kumar1@hindustant­imes.com

VARANASI: Classical musicians Rajan and Sajan Mishra will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath to complain about inordinate delay and poor quality work done under the Heritage Walk scheme in Varanasi.

Under the scheme, murals are to be made on boundary walls and paintings etched on the front walls of legendary musicians’ homes in Varanasi. Besides, tiles will be laid on lanes leading to their residence.

The Heritage Walk scheme was incorporat­ed in the central government’s ambitious Heritage City Developmen­t and Augmentati­on Yojana (HRIDAY) on the suggestion of Rajan and Sajan Mishra, both Padma Bhusan awardees who live in the Piplani Katra area of Varanasi.

The Mishra brothers questioned the quality of tiles laid on the lane leading to their homes and those of other musicians.

They staged a sit-in on Sunday over the issue.

Sajan Mishra told HT on Monday, “The centre incorporat­ed the heritage walk in HRIDAY on our suggestion. Under the scheme, the centre also sanctioned Rs 2.61 crore for beautifica­tion of the front walls of houses of noted artistes, setting up heritage lights, fixing of cement tiles on paths and painting in lounges of their homes.” He said whenever he called the municipal corporatio­n authoritie­s, they assured him that the beautifica­tion work will be carried out satisfacto­rily within a fortnight but that did not happen in accordance with norms. “I was left with no choice but to take to the streets. Therefore, I marched in Piplani Katra and staged a sit-in,” Mishra said.

Mayor Ramgopal Mohale and municipal commission­er Dr Nitin Bansal visited Sajan Mishra on Monday and assured him that all the work will be completed within 20 days.

Mish ra said, “I will wait for 20 days. If officials fail to keep their promise, we will call on PM Modi to apprise him of the ground reality. We will also meet chief minister Yogi Adityanath.”

Varanasi mayor Ramgopal Mohale said, “Developmen­t works under heritage walk will be completed within three weeks. The quality of the tiles laid will be examined. If required, tiles will be rearranged and proper interlocki­ng will be done.”

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? The musicians staging a sitin.
HT PHOTO The musicians staging a sitin.

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