Latest news with #VaranasiSmartCity
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
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Kashi first in nation to use 3D mapping for planning, devpt'
1 2 Varanasi: For the first time in the country, Varanasi will use a large-scale 3D model of the city for planning and executing the projects for development, security, and convenience. The virtual model of the city Kashi will pave the way for sustainable development. The technology—3D Urban Spatial Digital Twin, will showcase the entire Kashi, including alleys, the Ganga, temples, and key locations of the city. This project, worth around Rs six crore, took nine months to complete. The 3D Urban Spatial Digital Twin involves cutting-edge Geographical Information System (GIS) solutions, incorporating technologies like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), 360-degree panoramic imagery, and creation of 3D model. Training in this technology is being imparted to the departments to enable its swift implementation. Chief general manager of Varanasi Smart City D Vasudevan said that Kashi has become the first city in the country where the 3D GIS (360-degree mapping) of a 160 square kilometre area was conducted. The creation of the '3D Urban Spatial Digital Twin' of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation area was done using LiDAR technology. This involved over 23 hours of aerial surveys with low-flying aircraft, 1,838 line kilometres by vehicles on roads, and 1,055 line kilometres by backpack walkers in alleys. Drones were also used in this project. This modern technology will also showcase Kashi's heritage, allowing for new development plans. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Women Ever Paperela Undo On the uses and benefits of the 3D Urban Spatial Digital Twin, Vasudevan said that it will keep the track of every inch of Kashi. The technology has a ground resolution of 4cm. It will provide 3D mapping of flood levels in the Ganga, indicating which areas and buildings will be affected, allowing the administration to prepare in advance. The 3D GIS includes precise measurements of alleys, roads, and buildings, enabling any department involved in development plans to assess the availability, utility, and feasibility of a location through this 3D mapping. Project manager Santosh Kumar Tripathi said that the 3D mapping will also be used for real-time response. Cameras will be connected to key locations, allowing for crowd management, crime control, and traffic condition assessments. It will be integrated with existing GIS-based facilities of the VMC, Varanasi Development Authority, and other departments to enhance its utility. It will also aid in waste management, sewage, water management, and more. In case of fire, it will assist in rescue operations, planning for the development authority, preventing illegal construction, monitoring, and issuing NOCs. Additionally, it will provide information on plans related to the tehsil level. The digital twin will also gather heat-map and thermographic real-time data for congestion management. This initiative enables the municipal corporation to accurately assess and manage property revenues, enhancing revenue collection and urban infrastructure planning . Meanwhile, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) utilises the 3D model to update the Master Plan and issue building permits with greater accuracy and efficiency, promoting planned urban development.
