Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
Varanasi, also known as Banaras, is one of the oldest cities in the world and is known for its rich history, culture, and spirituality. It is considered as the spiritual capital of India and attracts millions of tourists every year. However, the city has also been facing several challenges related to infrastructure, traffic, and cleanliness.
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
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Major Achievements of the VDA
To address these issues, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) was established in 1978 by the Uttar Pradesh government. Over the years, the VDA has undertaken several projects to give Varanasi a facelift and transform it into a smart city. Here are some of the major achievements of the VDA:
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
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1. Road Infrastructure:
The VDA has undertaken several road improvement projects to ease traffic congestion in the city. It has widened several roads, constructed flyovers, and foot overbridges, and introduced dedicated cycle tracks. It has also implemented a smart traffic management system that uses cameras and sensors to regulate traffic flow.
2. Riverfront Development:
The River Ganges is an integral part of Varanasi’s identity and culture. The VDA has undertaken a massive riverfront development project to beautify the ghats and create a world-class tourist destination. The project includes setting up public amenities like toilets, changing rooms, and parking lots, as well as introducing heritage walkways, gardens, and fountains.
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
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3. Smart City Initiatives:
The VDA has undertaken several initiatives to make Varanasi a smart city. It has introduced free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, installed CCTV cameras for surveillance, and set up digital kiosks for information dissemination. It has also introduced an e-rickshaw service for last-mile connectivity and a mobile application for citizens to report grievances.
4. Heritage Conservation:
Varanasi is home to several heritage sites like temples, forts, and monuments. The VDA has taken up the task of conserving and restoring these structures while also promoting tourism. It has undertaken restoration work on several temples like Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple and created a heritage walkway connecting them.
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
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5. Waste Management:
With the increase in population and tourist inflow, waste management has become a major challenge in Varanasi. The VDA has introduced several initiatives to address this issue, like setting up waste segregation centers, compost pits, and waste-to-energy plants. It has also introduced a door-to-door garbage collection system and banned the use of plastic bags in the city.
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
Goal of making Varanasi
All these initiatives have been undertaken with a goal of making Varanasi a clean, green, and smart city. While there is still a long way to go, the VDA’s efforts have brought about a significant change in the city’s infrastructure and tourist experience. These achievements have also earned Varanasi international recognition, with the city being ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the world by the World Economic Forum in 2019.
Varanasi’s Facelift The Major Achievements of Varanasi Development Authority
