Latest news with #VaranasiMunicipalCorporation
Time of India
18 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Peaceful Bakrid celebrations across Kashi amid tight security
1 2 Varanasi: The festival of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha) was celebrated peacefully across Varanasi and adjoining districts on Saturday, with members of the Muslim community offering prayers at mosques and Eidgahs amidst tight security arrangements. As per the scheduled timings, people began assembling at various prayer sites early in the morning. Namaz was offered at all designated locations, with large gatherings reported at Laat Saraiyya, Englishialine, Faatman, Langra Hafiz, and Gyanvapi mosques. In anticipation of heavy footfall, the district and police administration had made elaborate security arrangements. Senior officials remained on high alert along all key city routes, while drones were deployed for aerial surveillance in sensitive areas to ensure a smooth and incident-free observance of the festival. Following the prayers, animal sacrifices were carried out as per tradition, and celebratory activities gained momentum through the day. The city's markets and multiplexes witnessed heavy crowds from late afternoon, reflecting the festive spirit. To maintain sanitation and hygiene during the festivities, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) deployed additional sanitary staff and waste containers in Muslim-dominated localities. Clean-up operations continued actively on Saturday and into Sunday, with teams working in full swing to manage post-celebration waste. The peaceful conduct of Bakrid across the region was welcomed by residents and officials alike, marking a successful culmination of both religious fervour and civic preparedness.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Drain cleaning, beautification drive in focus as UP minister reviews projects
1 2 Varanasi: Urban Development Minister AK Sharma on Tuesday chaired a review meeting of the department here, with focus on drain cleaning, water management, anti-encroachment measures, and beautification projects across the city. Municipal commissioner Akshat Verma presented a detailed overview of the ongoing civic works under the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC). Verma highlighted the phased cleaning of sewer lines and stormwater drains using advanced equipment, including super sucker and bucket machines, being carried out by the Water Works department. To tackle waterlogging ahead of the monsoon, the commissioner informed that 80 vulnerable locations have been identified, with adequate pump arrangements already in place. He also briefed the minister about the city's water supply system, which is currently supported by two water treatment plants (WTPs), along with the installation of 41 new tube wells and 152 hand pumps. Verma said that a zone-wise identification of encroachments has been completed and notices are being served to violators, mandating removal within two days. A dedicated anti-encroachment campaign will commence from May 30, with fines to be imposed on defaulters. The commissioner also updated the minister on various development initiatives underway, including the construction of a Senior Care Center and a City Facility Center, progress on municipal bond initiatives, beautification of city ponds, the CM Grid project, digitisation of birth and death records, and the rollout of the Smart Kashi mobile application. Issuing directives, Minister Sharma instructed that 100 percent cleaning of all drains and sewers — both large and small — must be completed within the next 15 days. He emphasized timely removal of silt and the enforcement of anti-encroachment measures without delay. Sharma also suggested landscaping road shoulders with grass or creating pedestrian pathways, and stressed the goal of making Varanasi dust-free. He called for better organisation of street vendors and intensified public awareness to prevent littering. Highlighting the cultural significance of the city, the minister directed that memorials be constructed near the residences of notable personalities and Padma awardees as part of a broader beautification initiative.
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.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP's 3rd smart waste mgmt transfer stn inaugurated in Varanasi
Varanasi: Kashi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari recently inaugurated the third Smart Waste Management Transfer Station , constructed on approximately 15,000 square feet of land near the boundary of Jalkal at Shankuldhara Kund. It is the third such station in the state after Ghaziabad and Gorakhpur. With the collaboration of HDFC Bank under its CSR initiative, a plant with a capacity of processing 120 tons of waste per day was built at a cost of Rs 5 crore by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC). The smart transfer station is equipped with two static compactors, two hook loaders, and six capsule devices. Waste from houses and establishments in Bhelupur zone will be compacted into capsules and sent to the plant located in Karsada for disposal via hook loaders, ensuring no visible waste on the streets. HDFC Bank zonal head Manish Tandon handed over the keys of the hook loader to the Mayor. The Mayor said that two years ago, there were 23 large garbage dumps in the city, of which 187 were closed, and the remaining will be shut down in the next couple of months. He also planted a sandalwood tree on the premises on the occasion. Municipal commissioner Akshat Verma highlighted the contribution of the bank and the company 'Hyva' in completing the modern smart transfer station within two months, ahead of schedule.
