Varanasi launches Rs 882 crore Dalmandi road widening and city infrastructure push
Varanasi has kick‑started an ambitious Rs 882 crore infrastructure programme encompassing the widening of Dalmandi Road, smart underground utilities and ecologically conscious public spaces. The 650‑metre Dalmandi thoroughfare will be elevated to a 17.4‑metre‑wide corridor in a Rs 215 crore segment, aiming to decongest bottlenecks near Gate 4 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The broader scheme includes Miyawaki-style urban forests, waste‑treatment facilities, library renovation, ghats rejuvenation and educational facilities, positioning the city for sustainable, equitable transformation and seamless pilgrim movement.
An urgent directive on 17 July from the state Chief Minister accelerated cabinet approval received on 22 July for the ₹216 crore earmarked for civil work, utility relocation and compensation. The public works department has since begun demarcation of 184 identified buildings along the stretch to begin land acquisition proceedings. The corridor will connect Naisadak to Chowk via the Dalmandi market, expanding from a patchy 2.5–5‑metre width to a 17.4‑metre boulevard to distribute pilgrim traffic exiting Godowlia‑Maidagin path.
The city’s infrastructure drive totals Rs 881.56 crore, incorporating underground electricity networks, public‑sector hospital development, rural linkage roads, park redevelopment, garbage transfer stations, and planned floating platforms along the Ganga banks. These investments mark a shift towards low-carbon, pedestrian‑friendly civic design, aligned with both spiritual tourism demand and environmental stewardship.
However, resistance has emerged. The Allahabad High Court has mandated a status quo on demolitions in the Dalmandi zone following petitions by local residents and mosque committees who argue that acquisition is proceeding without proper process, and that around 10,000 families could face livelihood disruption if mosques and market shops are razed. Project authorities have assured that valuations and legal clearances are in motion but delays could shift timelines into post‑monsoon months.
While stakeholders balance heritage preservation, community concerns and fast‑track infrastructure rollout, the broader vision—integrated transit access, green corridors, underground utility systems and public institutions—aligns with Varanasi’s ambition to become an equitable, sustainable smart city. The Dalmandi widening marks the launch of a broader campaign for urban quality of life in one of India’s most historic cities; sensitive implementation will determine whether the benefits offset the social and cultural costs.
