Varanasi-Japan bond getting stronger
VARANASI: This ancient city shares a strong bond with Japan for over two decades that is getting stronger with each passing day.
Japan has gifted a state-of-art convention centre named ‘Rudraksha’, which is under construction, and has also been helping in improving the sewage infrastructure of the city, especially for sewage treatment to ensure the Ganga stays clean for a long time.
A 140 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) at Dinapur has already been constructed under the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA)-assisted project and JNNURM scheme that started functioning in November last year.
In addition, three pumping stations, including one each at Chauka Ghat (140 MLD), Phulwaria (7.6 MLD), and Saraiya (3.7MLD), were already built for intercepting sewer to divert sewage to the STP.
Apart from that, with the help of central government, 120 MLD STP at Goithaha is under construction. Also, a 50 MLD STP at Ramana is being built under PPP model to exclusively treat sewage of Assi and BHU areas.
Together, these STPs will be enough to meet the sewage treatment demand of the city till 2035. Varanasi at present generates an estimated 300 MLD of sewage, which is expected to increase to 390 MLD by 2030. A senior Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VNC) official said Japan was providing financial assistance for projects like Ganga Action Plan, renovation of iconic ghats and construction of dhobi ghats through JICA for the transformation of Varanasi.
Some dhobi ghats, including Pandeypur, Nadesar, Bhavania Pokhran and Konia, Bajaradiha and Machhodari have already been renovated in order to control pollution generated from washing clothes at the ghats along the Ganga. Many among the washermen community have already shifted to the new ghats, he said. With the help of Japan, the state-ofart Varanasi International Co-operation and Convention Centre is under construction in the city. Construction of project worth Rs 200 crore began in July last year.
Varanasi municipal commissioner Ashutosh Dwivedi said, “The convention centre will act as a platform for knowledge exchange sessions for locals as well as visitors to the city. This is a symbol of the strong bond between the temple city and Japan.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony in July last year, Katsuo Matsumoto, chief representative, JICA India office, had said, “The centre is a glorious symbol of the friendship between India and Japan. It will be a first-of-its-kind facility that will nurture social and cultural exchanges among local people, national and international visitors.”
He added: JICA, through its sewerage treatment project, has been supporting
› I have named it Rudraksh – the symbol of love, and ‘prasad’ of Lord Shiva to humanity. This Rudraksh will be a garland of love of Japan for Varanasi. It will also be a tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage present at Sarnath
ASHUTOSH DWIVEDI , Varanasi municipal commissioner
urban development in Varanasi. We hope this convention centre will also contribute to more sustainable urban development by attracting business and academic conferences from all over the world. The centre is also expected to enhance tourism here.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe planned the centre during their visit to the holy city in December 2015. In September 2017, Modi revealed at the launch of the design of the convention centre in Ahmedabad: “You know the ancient city of Varanasi is my second home. The centre is a symbol of cultural co-operation between Kyoto city of Japan and Varanasi. It was conceived by Prime Minister Abe and me when we visited Varanasi together in 2015.”
“I have named it Rudraksh – the symbol of love, and ‘prasad’ of Lord Shiva to humanity. This Rudraksh will be a garland of love of Japan for Varanasi. It will also be a tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage present at Sarnath,” he had added. A Japanese architect Yoko Saka has drawn the design of the centre. In June last year, a Japanese company Fujita Corporation was given the contract to build the centre.
Associated with Fujita Corporation, project manager Brijesh Trivedi says, “’Rudraksha’ will be equipped with 108 ‘rudrakshas’ and comprise a main hall with a flying tower, a seating capacity of 1,200, a gallery, meeting rooms and parking for 120 cars. In time of need, the main hall could be partitioned into smaller spaces.”
Assistant manager Arun Kumar Mishra said: “It will be an environmentfriendly building. The centre will be equipped with adequate security and safety systems.” The project will be completed by May 2020.