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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Varanasi at 17th position in nat'l cleanliness rankings
Varanasi: Among all 4,589 bodies across the country, Varanasi Municipal Corporation retained its 17th position in rankings announced by ministry of urban affairs for the 2024 cleanliness survey, on Thursday. This is the highest ranking achieved since the cleanliness survey began in 2016. However, the city slipped to second from first position in the Ganga Town category, following Prayagraj. Kanpur secured the 3rd rank in this category. In the 2024 cleanliness survey, Varanasi's city card issued by Govt of India scored 98% in door-to-door waste collection, 63% in waste segregation at source, 100% in waste collection and disposal, 100% in disposal of waste at dumping grounds, 100% in cleanliness in residential areas and markets, 100% in cleanliness of water bodies and 93% in cleanliness of public and community toilets. Meanwhile, Varanasi secured second position in the Clean Ganga Town category, with Prayagraj securing first position. This year's cleanliness survey was conducted in two phases based on performance of the cities. The cities that were already performing well in cleanliness were categorised separately as 'Super Clean League City', while the second survey was conducted for cities striving to improve cleanliness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Not surprisingly, Indore city secured first position in the Super Clean League City, like it has for past several years. Varanasi was included in the league of cities improving on the cleanliness scale. Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari dedicated the achievement to citizens of Varanasi and said that being parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister, it was essential to make the city even cleaner and secure the first position in the future survey. He said the municipal corporation was working continuously on cleanliness and urged all citizens to support the municipal corporation's cleanliness operations and functions. Municipal commissioner Akshat Verma congratulated the entire team of the municipal corporation saying that the Varanasi Municipal Corporation will work even harder on cleanliness. He also mentioned that areas where fewer points were scored in the cleanliness survey will be improved. The Municipal Commissioner appealed to the citizens of Varanasi to cooperate by segregating wet and dry waste from their homes and disposing of it in the Municipal Corporation's waste vehicles instead of littering on the streets, so that Varanasi could achieve even better position in the upcoming cleanliness survey. When the cleanliness survey began in 2016, Varanasi secured 65th position. It ranked 32nd in 2017, 29th in 2018, 70th in 2019, 27th in 2020, 30th in 2021, 21st in 2022, 41st in 2023 and 17th in 2024. The Ganga Town Award started in 2020 with Varanasi securing the first position in 2020 and 2021, second in 2022, first in 2023 and second spot in 2024.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
VMC panel to relocate street vendors after closure of night market
1 2 Varanasi: The Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has established a committee to identify and relocate street vendors from the night market beneath the Lahartara Chowkaghat flyover to designated vending zones. The night market, a significant initiative by PM Narendra Modi in his Parliamentary constituency, ceased operations on July 4, merely three years after its inauguration. The establishment, part of the Varanasi Smart City project, had commenced operations on July 7, 2022, under the Lahartara-Chowkaghat flyover. Municipal Commissioner Akshat Verma issued an official notice stating that vendors beneath the Lahartara Chowkaghat flyover underwent multiple identification and verification processes, with records maintained by Varanasi Smart City Limited. The shops were dismantled on July 4 following contract termination. The newly formed committee comprising Jitendra Anand (zonal officer, Varunapar), joint municipal commissioner, district project officer from urban development agency, and chief engineer from Varanasi Smart City Ltd will identify legitimate vendors and allocate them spaces in accordance with the Street Vendors Act-2014. The directive takes immediate effect, requiring documentation and notification to relevant parties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O que é ar-condicionado sem dutos no Brasil? Knowledge Knower Undo The night market was developed with the aim of showcasing Varanasi's art and culture in a vibrant nighttime setting. It came up on a 1.9Km stretch under the flyover, featuring thematic wall art, public amenities, and spaces for recreation. According to authorities, an agreement was made with Shreya Company to operate the night market, but due to its failure to meet specified standards and violation of conditions, several notices were issued. Despite this, non-compliance led to the cancellation of Shreya Company's contract, rendering all shops illegal. The municipal corporation previously issued notices to vacate all shops. Even after the notice, shopkeepers did not vacate the premises. Authorities noted reports of improper activities occurring between Cantt Railway Station and the bus station, alongside hygiene issues and traffic disruptions. The administration announced enforcement actions following a 48-hour notice period.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi's flagship Night Bazaar project faces demolition
1 2 Varanasi: The Night Bazaar, a flagship project launched by PM Narendra Modi in his parliamentary constituency, is being vacated just three years later due to alleged irregularities and non-compliance with contractual obligations. The Varanasi municipal corporation has taken action to shut down the market. On Wednesday, 25 shops were vacated in Varanasi's Night Bazaar, and the municipal administration issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the remaining shop operators to vacate the premises. The night market came into existence under the Lahartara-Chowkaghat flyover as part of the Varanasi Smart City project on July 7, 2022, when PM visited the city to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth over Rs 1,800 crore. It was developed with the aim of showcasing Varanasi's art and culture in a vibrant night-time setting. The market came up in a 1.9kM stretch under the flyover, featuring thematic wall art, public amenities and spaces for recreation. The Varanasi municipal corporation terminated Shreya Company's contract to operate the Night Bazaar due to non-compliance with specified standards and condition violations. Despite notices, shopkeepers failed to vacate, leading to the corporation's decision to vacate shops and label them as illegal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo According to officials, there were reports of several unethical activities taking place under the guise of the night market from Cantt Railway Station to the bus station, and the non-compliance with standards led to widespread filth and obstruction of traffic in these areas. After the 48-hour deadline given by the municipal administration, action will be taken to remove all these shops, they said. On the instructions of municipal commissioner Akshat Verma, the encroachment department and enforcement team personnel of the municipal corporation, led by additional municipal commissioner Sangam Lal, assistant municipal commissioner Anil Yadav and enforcement team in-charge Colonel Sandeep Sharma, vacated 25 shops located in the night market from Andharapul to the bus station on Wednesday. The municipal administration faced opposition in vacating the shops. An announcement was made on-site by the municipal administration that all remaining shops must be vacated within the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, former vice-president of Varanasi Cantonment Board, Shailendra Singh, urged the PM and UP chief minister not to shut the market. In his letter to the PM, he said that his (PM's) dream project initiated for the dignity and self-reliance of the poor has turned into a nightmare for those people. The night market started to provide respectful employment to street vendors is now being dismantled due to the negligence of the administration and private agencies. The poor took shops from the agency, paid rent and electricity bills on time. But now, they are being ordered to vacate their shops. He said" The poor were just trying to make a living. How would they know what's happening between the agency and the municipal corporation? This is not just a failure of a plan; it is the murder of the dreams of the poor." He demanded a thorough investigation of the night market to take strict action against the guilty agency and negligent officials.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Time of India
Varanasi Nagar Nigam drive for registration of pet dogs
Varanasi: The Varanasi Nagar Nigam is conducting home-to-home inspections and health checks of pet dogs in the city. Under the direction of municipal commissioner Akshat Verma, animal welfare officer Santosh Pal and his team conducted a registration check in Bridge Enclave Colony on Thursday. The team inspected 50 homes in the colony, finding pet dogs in nine of them. It was discovered that eight of these dogs were not registered. The municipal team registered all eight dogs on the spot using the Smart Kashi app and also conducted health checks. Verma urged all residents with pet dogs to register them through the Smart Kashi app. "If a dog is found unregistered during an inspection, a fine of Rs 5000 will be imposed, and the dog will be seized," said Verma.
