Clear ground for LBS Int'l airport expansion works: Kashi DC

Time of India

06-05-2025

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Varanasi: Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam on Tuesday directed the agencies concerned to clear the ground for the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) International Airport.At a meeting held here, the divisional commissioner instructed the agencies to expedite tree cutting , remove constructions, and complete the survey of drainage system development at the earliest.Works on the Rs 2,870 crore project for the airport's major expansion, which includes doubling capacity with a new terminal and expanding the runway with the Varanasi-Lucknow national highway (NH-31) in its underpass, were fast-tracked. This followed the laying of the foundation for the construction of a 2.89 km tunnel at a cost of Rs 652.54 crore by PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the city in April. The commissioner sought details on the progress of this project.After receiving updates on the airport expansion work, especially the construction of the new terminal building, the commissioner on Monday evening directed for resolution of issues related to tree cutting, house demolitions, and drainage construction surveys.The commissioner also sought details on progress in other ongoing projects from the executing agencies and the designated nodal officers. While reviewing road projects, including the six-lane GT Road from Mohansarai to Cantt Road, the four-lane Varanasi-Bhadohi route, the four-lane Lahartara-BHU-Vijay Cinema road, the Varanasi to Ghazipur road (from Kachahari to Sandaha), the four-lane road from Kali Mata Temple to Ring Road (Varanasi-Azamgarh road), the four-lane road from Padav to Tengra Mod-Ramnagar, and the widening and strengthening of the Kazakpura Railway Overbridge (Varanasi City-Sarnath rail route), the public works Department was instructed to expedite and complete the remaining work.The progress of the ropeway construction from Varanasi Cantt to Godaulia Chowk was reviewed, along with the widening and strengthening of roads near Ganjari International Cricket Stadium and the progress of the medical college being built in Pandeypur.The meeting also discussed land acquisition for the widening of Daalmandi Road, with instructions to expedite the process. The physical progress of the widening and strengthening work at the Swerved Mahamandir on the Varanasi to Ghazipur route was reviewed.The commissioner directed that all remaining work on the projects be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasised resolving issues related to the shifting of electric poles, water pipelines, sewer lines, and house demolitions promptly to complete the remaining tasks.District magistrate Satyendra Kumar, VDA Vice-President Pulkit Garg, CMO Sandeep Chaudhary, ADM City Alok Verma, ADM Administration Vipin Kumar, ADM Protocol Prakash Chandra and Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajeev Rai, were present at the meeting.