Varanasi: It took almost four years to complete the mammoth assignment of the expansion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple area of ​​only 2,700 square feet to 5 Lakh Square Feet Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and officials who handled this project wrestle with new challenges every day.
The beginning of negotiations to buy old buildings, destroy them, eliminate debris through narrow lines and circuits in solid areas, rehabilitating refugees while maintaining intrinsic culture and Kashi traditions are not disturbed like a job that is impossible.
Given the trip, Divisional Commissioner and Shri Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board Chairman Deepak Agrawal, “Our first test is to ensure that cultural and religious traditions are still not disturbed because expansion must be carried out in a solid area with commercial activities.” In the initial survey of projects, 166 Buildings were identified but after two revisions plans, 320 buildings were intended, and then complex negotiations began with the owner, he said.
“There are many tenants who pay nominal rent, many properties belong to trust or religious agencies while some owners have shifted abroad.
There is a resistance from various nuances, including politics,” he added.
Overall, 1,111 people were rehabilitated after convincing them through transparent negotiations, said agrawal.
“The total RS 390 Crore is spent on the purchase of buildings and almost Rs 100 Crore is spent on rehabilitation.
There is more difficulties in front when the temple is found in many buildings.
The building must be destroyed manually to ensure the temples are not damaged,” Agarwal said.
Removing debris after demolition through the Maces and uneven land while ensuring that waste, water, and power supply are not affected, it is also a challenging task.
“During all this, we must ensure that the entry of worshipers in the KVT is not disturbed.
Because KVT is in the red zone (inner security cordon) from a very sensitive KVT-Gyanvapi complex, we have extra warning in possible to enter the people involved in Construction work, “said Agrawal.
When 70% of the buildings identified were purchased and destroyed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put the KVD foundation on March 8, 2019.
And, when the construction began in February 2020, the waves and locking Covid-19 multiplying our challenges since the project is scheduled to be completed in August Add it.
“We do our best to keep work in the midst of all curbs and protocols.
We have ensured all the facilities can be dreamed of pilgrims at any major temple,” said the executive engineer PWD Sanjay Gore, who oversees the project.