Varanasi: The demolition work being carried out for the widening and beautification of Dal Mandi Road in Varanasi has now extended to five mosques situated along the project route.
On Wednesday, the demolition of a portion of the boundary wall of the Karimullah Beg Mosque, located behind the Chowk police station, began under tight security arrangements.
According to media reports, large number of police personnel, PAC, and paramilitary forces have been deployed across the area to maintain law and order during the operation. Authorities said that the management committees of five mosques have already agreed to the proposed plan.
The mosques that have given their consent include the Karimullah Beg Mosque, Nisaran Mosque, Ali Raza Khan Mosque, Sang-e-Marmar Mosque, and Rangeele Shah Mosque. The demolition work carried out on Wednesday was also undertaken with the cooperation of the mosque authorities.
Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) stated that the trustees of these five mosques have formally approved the road widening proposal. Compensation for the affected portions will be provided by the department as per G-3 standards.
Discussions are still ongoing regarding another mosque, Langra Hafiz Mosque, which is also expected to be partially impacted by the project. According to officials, only portions of the mosques falling within the road expansion area will be affected.
Police officials said the demolition site has been secured with tin barricades, while drone cameras are being used to monitor the operation. They added that the entire process is being conducted peacefully without any untoward incident.
The Dal Mandi Road expansion project aims to ease traffic congestion in Varanasi. Under the plan, the 650-metre-long road will be widened to approximately 17.5 metres and beautified. A total of 181 structures have been identified for acquisition, and demolition of more than 100 buildings has already been completed.
Support Independent Media
Click Here and Join the Membership of Millat Times to Support Independent Media.
Support Millat Times