‘Create visible changes to boost tourism in 2 months'
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The secretary held a meeting at the Commissioner's auditorium on Friday to discuss the ways to develop Varanasi as a world-class tourist destination and promote local economic growth while preserving the city's cultural, religious, and historical importance. She said that the initial changes should focus on 16 to 20 key locations, including major temples, connectivity points, ghats, and Sarnath and stressed that the changes should be sustainable and long-term.
The meeting discussed infrastructure development, including beautification and cleaning of ghats, improved roads, electricity, and water supply, and transportation facilities.
The secretary said that spiritual tourism can be promoted by developing major temples and other religious sites of the city while promoting local trades and crafts including Banarasi sarees and wooden toys can boost tourism. She also stressed on training and improved facilities for local artists, craftsmen, and guides.
She also mentioned the need to promote cultural events, fairs, and festivals to showcase the city's rich cultural heritage. Involving local people in tourism-related businesses can strengthen the local economy. Promoting Varanasi through online platforms can attract more tourists, she said.
The secretary directed the development authority and municipal corporation to run continuous campaigns for beautification by removing hoardings, flexes, and organising mesh of cable wires spread across the city.
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Instructions were also given to install signage to provide information to tourists and promoting the city through online platforms.
Principal secretary of tourism Mukesh Kumar Meshram issued directives for promotion of yoga centres, wellness centres, naturopathy, and Ayurveda in Kashi, assuring financial assistance from the govt. He suggested connecting tourists visiting Kashi with eco-tourism sites in the neighbouring district of Chandauli, tourist spots in the Vindhya region, the Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Chunar Fort which is one of India's oldest forts, and ancient fossil parks in Sonbhadra district to enhance their stay duration in Kashi.
Earlier, divisional commissioner S Rajalingam presented key information regarding the meeting, discussing all possible efforts to develop Kashi as a global tourist destination.
District magistrate Satyendra Kumar suggested recording the ancient significance of the ghats in digital audio files to provide complete information to tourists during boat rides and emphasised standardising food outlets to maintain hygiene.
He also proposed creating cultural evenings.
The meeting was attended by municipal commissioner Akshat Verma,CDO Himanshu Nagpal, station director Arpit Gupta, DFO Varanasi Swati Singh, CEO Kashi Vishwanath Temple Vishwabhushan Mishra, secretary development authority Ved Prakash Mishra, and officials from the Public Works, Smart City, Culture, Archaeology, and Tourism departments at both the Central and the state levels.
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