VARANASI, Major Development Projects

 Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: This ambitious project aimed to create a grand corridor connecting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the Ganga Ghats. It involved the redevelopment of the temple complex, the widening of nearby streets, and the beautification of the entire area.

2-Smart City Mission:

Smart City Mission: Varanasi was selected as one of the Smart Cities under the Indian government’s Smart Cities Mission. This initiative aimed to enhance the city’s infrastructure, including roads, transportation, and public services, while promoting sustainable development.

3-Ganga Riverfront Development:

Ganga Riverfront Development: Given the city’s close association with the River Ganges, various projects were planned to develop and beautify the riverfront. This included the development of ghats, river promenades, and initiatives to reduce pollution in the Ganges.

4- Varanasi Ring Road:

Varanasi Ring Road: The construction of a ring road around the city was planned to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity. This project aimed to reduce the load on the city’s inner roads and improve transportation.

5-Varanasi International Airport:

Varanasi International Airport: The expansion and modernization of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi were planned to accommodate the growing number of domestic and international tourists.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport  is an international airport serving Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located at Babatpur, 26 km (16 mi) northwest of Varanasi. Formerly known as Varanasi Airport, it was officially renamed after Lal Bahadur Shastri, the 2nd Prime Minister of India, in October 2005. It acquired its position in India’s major airports after more than 4 million passengers used the airport in 2024-25. It is the 19th-busiest airport in India in terms of passenger movement, and the second-busiest airport in Uttar Pradesh.

6- Namo Ghat (River Front) Development

   This new Landmark to Varanasi is one of the modern & fully accessible Ghat.

1.  It offers the following recreational facilities-

2. Words First floating CNG filling station for Boats.

3. Jetties for Docking of Boats & Cruise Ships.

4. Bathing Jetties.

5. Open Air Theatre

6. Water Sports Area

7. Food Court

8. Souvenir shops

9. Car Parking

10. Large Public Space

7-Rudraksha International Convention Centre:

This state-of-the-art International Convention Centre has a seating capacity of 1200 and is funded by the Government of Japan INR 185 Cr.

What is Rudraksh Convention Centre

• Full name: Rudraksh International Cooperation & Convention Centre (sometimes called Rudraksh International Convention Centre). The Financial Express+3rudrakshcentre.com+3rudrakshcentre.com+3

• It is a modern convention centre built in Varanasi (Sigra area) to host international events, conventions, cultural programs, exhibitions etc. icpb.in+1

• Developed with assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of Indo-Japan cooperation. The Times of India+2The Financial Express+2

Key Features & Specifications

8- Heritage conservation:

Heritage Conservation: Several projects focused on preserving and promoting Varanasi’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. This included the restoration of ancient buildings and heritage sites.

9- Underground Cabling:

Underground Cabling: Efforts were made to bury electrical and telecom cables underground to enhance the city’s aesthetics and reduce visual clutter.

10- Cleanliness and Sanitation:

Cleanliness and Sanitation: Programs were initiated to improve cleanliness and sanitation in the city, especially around the ghats and tourist areas.

11- Tourism Infrastructure:

Tourism Infrastructure: To boost tourism, infrastructure improvements were planned, such as the development of tourism circuits, information centers, and better facilities for tourists.

12- Urban housing:

Urban Housing: Affordable housing projects were in progress to address the housing needs of the growing population.

It’s important to verify the current status of these projects, as development plans and timelines can change over time. Varanasi, being a historically significant and culturally rich city, has been a focus of various development efforts to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination and improve the quality of life for its residents.

13- Trade Facilitation Centre Cum Crafts Museum

This Trade Facilitation Centre cum Crafts Museum Is built around a land area of 8 acres and has a plinth area of 43,450 sq.m.

• Official name: Trade Facilitation Centre and Craft Museum, also known as Deendayal Hastkala Sankul. achieversrule.com+3handicrafts.nic.in+3Uttar Pradesh Tourism+3

• Purpose: To promote, preserve, and showcase handloom, handicrafts, textiles, and cultural heritage of Varanasi region; to provide artisans & weavers a platform for domestic and international trade; to support tourism.

Key Features / Facilities

14- Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Hospital

• This comprehensive cancer care is built around a land area of 15 acres and has a capacity of 352 beds.
• General, Private Wards and Suites
• OPD, Emergency, Diagnostics, Day Care
• Operation theatres, laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation & Recovery
• Library, Auditorium, Restaurants, Hostels & patient Accommodation.

15-Benia Bagh Park and Parking:

This modern Park of 13.5 acres at Ground level provides recreational facilities like OAT, Water Body, Food Court, Open Gym, Kids Play Area, Shops, Lawns, and Public spaces.

16-Varanasi Ropeway Project

• — It is India’s first urban ropeway system (public transport style, not just for hills) being built in Varanasi.
• — Name: Kashi Ropeway / Varanasi Ropeway.
• — Key Specifications & Route
• — Length: ~ 3.75 to 3.85 km from Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station (Cantt) to Godowlia (near Godaulia Chowk). The Economic Times+4The Economic Times+4TripVaranasi+4
• — Stations: There will be five stations:
• — Varanasi Cantt (Railway Station)
• — Vidyapeeth (Bharatmala Mandir)
• — Rathyatra
• — Girja Ghar
• — Godowlia Chowk / Godaulia. TripVaranasi+3NDTV Profit+3Varanasi Guru+3

  Cabins / Gondolas: ~ 150 (or thereabouts) cabins; each can carry about 10 passengers.

  Height: The ropeway towers / cables will be about 40-50 meters above ground in many sections.

  Capacity & frequency:

Expected capacity ~ 3,000 people per hour per direction (so bidirectional capacity ~6,000/hr)

17- Hydrogen Cruise / Vessel Project in Varanasi

• A project under India’s “Harit Nauka” initiative (green/clean waterways) to introduce hydrogen fuel cell powered vessels on the Ganga, especially between Kashi (Varanasi) and Prayagraj.

• The vessels are being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under an MoU with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The Hindu+2The Times of India+2

Key Features

• Capacity: ~ 50 passengers.

• Design: Catamaran style; fully air-conditioned, with seating for passengers, often with panoramic views.
• Fuel System: Hydrogen fuel cell battery technology. Specifically, LT-PEM (Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells. Hydrogen stored in onboard high-pressure cylinders.
• Power Backup / Hybridization: The vessel has batteries (e.g. Lithium-Ion Phosphate) for transients / backup; some reports say also solar panels (for auxiliary loads). The Times of India
• Endurance / Operation Time: One version has ~ 8 hours of operation with five cylinders carrying ~ 40 kg hydrogen. Speed: ~ 6.5 knots in some trials. For “mini-cruise” type vessel (another plan) speed ~20-25 km/h.