Designs being altered to accommodate 23 temples

Varanasi: Though an initial survey conducted before the purchase of 296 buildings for Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) project had shown presence of around 40 temples in 5.30 lakh sq-feet area, after the removal of buildings the number of temples has gone up to 63.
As these temples are to be conserved in their original shapes, designs of many buildings approved under the project are being altered. To avoid disturbing the shape of a temple unearthed in the west of KVT, an additional 50 sq-metre area is also being acquired. The Sri Kashi Vishwanath Special Areas Development Board (SKVSADB) is going to rope in the department of history, art and culture, Banaras Hindu University to examine historical aspects of these temples which will be conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
When 23 more temples and idols surfaced after the removal of purchased buildings, the department of religious affairs set up an eight-member committee under divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal on June 30 to review the project afresh. The commissioner on July 8 convened a meeting of the committee members and representatives of HCP Design Planning Management Private Limited which had prepared a detailed project report for the project.
Talking to TOI on Tuesday, the commissioner said that “a detailed project report of the KV Dham project was prepared on the basis of an initial survey which had shown presence of 43 temples, library and some buildings of architectural importance. But when the building were removed the number of temples went up to 63. As all these temples and idols are to be conserved, the company which had prepared the DPR was also called.”
Officials said that during the committee’s meeting on July 8 it was decided to make changes in the design of proposed 'bhogshala' (community kitchen) instead of reducing the size of the building to avoid disturbing temples unearthed there. The old building of 'Shiv kutchehri' was coming in the middle of a gallery proposed around main Kashi Vishwanath temple building, they said adding to avoid shifting of 'Shiv kutchehri' it was decided to increase length of gallery by acquiring additional 50 sq-metre land. Some changes were also proposed at the building of a pilgrim facility centre, they added.
For the conservation of Neelkantheshwar Mahadev temple, the officials said that the decision of reducing around 400 sq-metre area in the proposedMumukshu Bhawan (hospice) building was also considered. The design of utility and toilet blocks and shop areas is also being revised for the same reasons, they added.
The commissioner said that the company will table the revised designs and changes proposed in these buildings at the next meeting of the committee. He said that the project cost was Rs 339 crores and there was no possibility of any further cost escalation and the deadline would also not be changed.
The work of conserving these 63 temples and idols will be done by ASI, the commissioner said, adding that experts from department of history, art and culture of BHU had given a presentation on their proposed study for knowing historical aspects of all unearthed temples. “We will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with them,” he added.