VARANASI: The Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) will now also have a giant platform that will enable a panoramic view of the beauty of the holy Ganga in flow and ghats on one side and the entire corridor area as well. Since the platform will provide a clear, unobstructed view of the holy river, it is being referred to as ‘Ganga View Gallery’ in the project.
The addition of the new feature has been possible after the dilapidated buildings purchased late were razed. The huge space created by the demolition has provided the leeway to make some changes in the approved design of the corridor project even after completion of over 30% construction. It has enabled the alignment of approach roads from access points near Manikarnika, Jalasen and Lalita Ghats to KV Dham, making it more convenient for visitors.
Divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal told TOI, “The razing of an old building created a huge space near the ghats, bringing relief to us, as initial alignment of approach road from ghats to KVT was in zigzag shape. Now, the alignment has been changed and the approach road and ramp for physically challenged and elderly pilgrims have become straight from the entry point at ghat to the highest flood point where the escalator facility will be available.”
“We will now construct ‘Ganga View Gallery’ — an 80m long and 11m wide platform — in the additional space for the pilgrims and visitors providing them a view of the Ganga and the corridor area. Proposals for a cafeteria and seating arrangements on it are being finalized,” he added.
Another platform will also be constructed near ghats and steps in pyramid shape will be constructed, between both platforms, he said, adding, “The lower platform will be used for Ganga Aarti and cultural events and will make landing of visitors coming via jetty also convenient.”
On possibility of escalation in project cost due to the late changes in design, the commissioner said, “The projected cost for construction works of the project is Rs 339 crore. The changes in design are not major and will not push it above the permissible limit of increase in project cost.”
Earlier, the unearthing of several temples on razing the buildings bought for the project had led to a change of design of the corridor. The size of the multipurpose hall had to be curtailed while Vedic Centre’s building was divided into two parts, he said.
The KV Dham project had come in pipeline immediately after Yogi Adityanath became chief minister and sanctioned budget for it in December 2017. As many as 296 buildings were purchased and razed for the Rs 700 crore project being developed in five lakh sq mt to link KVT with Ganga through a 75-mt wide corridor. PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of this project on March 8, 2019. The project will be completed by August-end this year.