Latest news with #VaranasiNagarNigam
Hindustan Times
11-08-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kashi Vishwanath Dham declared plastic-free zone
– Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham has been officially declared a plastic-free zone from Monday. Devotees are now strictly prohibited from carrying any plastic items, including baskets and water containers, into the temple premises. Temple Trust chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra and other officials create awareness about the plastic ban in and around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. (Sourced) A team from the KV Temple administration, along with Temple Trust CEO Vishwa Bhushan, deputy collector Shambhu Saran, and the special executive officer, informed flower and garland sellers near gate no 4, Dhundhiraj Ganesh, and Mata Vishalakshi temple areas about the new rule. The temple trust stated that from August 11, entry with any kind of plastic will be completely restricted. The campaign has been running for a month as part of the ongoing effort to maintain cleanliness and protect the temple environment. As part of the 'Plastic Free Dham' initiative on August 7, MLA Neelkanth Tiwari, corporator Kanaklata Tiwari, and other council members distributed bamboo baskets and steel pots to encourage shopkeepers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives. The campaign began on July 12 with a public awareness drive launched during the Shravan month by Varanasi Nagar Nigam, with support from mayor Ashok Tiwari, municipal commissioner Akshat Verma, and KV Temple officials. The temple trust has appealed to all devotees, vendors, and local residents to support the initiative and help keep the Dham clean, safe, and plastic-free. 'The entry of plastic in Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises has been completely banned from today, August 11. From today, the entire Kashi Vishwanath Dham has been declared plastic free. This has been implemented in a phased manner,' said Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust's chief executive officer, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, in a video message.
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.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
UP leads municipal bond boom: VNN raises ₹50 cr through its first bond issue
Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) has entered the municipal bonds club by raising ₹50 crore through its first municipal bond issue at a coupon rate of 8.01%, marking the lowest rate secured by any municipal corporation in Uttar Pradesh till date. The bond issue, conducted via private placement on the National Stock Exchange's Electronic Bidding Platform, attracted substantial investor interest, making Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to have five Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) – Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Agra, Prayagraj, and now Varanasi – successfully raise funds through municipal bonds. Strategic infra dev for ancient city The funds raised will finance two major revenue-generating projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure in Varanasi, one of India's most visited pilgrim destinations, which attracts millions of domestic and international tourists annually. 'Varanasi being a premier spiritual and cultural destination requires world-class infrastructure that preserves its ancient character while meeting modern needs,' said Amrit Abhijat, principal secretary, urban development department. 'The overwhelming investor response to these bonds reflects growing confidence in the city's economic potential and our governance structures. With this milestone, Uttar Pradesh has established itself as the national leader in municipal financing with five ULBs successfully tapping the bond market.' The first project involves developing a hotel complex with underground parking near Sigra Stadium, estimated to cost ₹40.52 crore with ₹25 crore allocated from the bond funds. The second project will create a market complex with underground parking at Lahurabir Road at an estimated cost of ₹34 crore, also receiving ₹25 crore from the bond proceeds. Employment and revenue generation These initiatives will generate employment for over 500 people and bring an annual revenue of approximately ₹8-9 crore to the Varanasi Nagar Nigam, strengthening financial self-sufficiency. The hotel complex near Sigra Stadium aims to provide world-class amenities for tourists and athletes while leveraging its strategic location near both the stadium and temple complexes to serve sports and religious tourists. The market complex at Lahurabir Road will address local commercial needs while helping to ease the city's traffic congestion through its parking facilities. What is coupon rate? In the bond market, the coupon rate is the fixed annual interest rate that a bond issuer agrees to pay to bondholders, based on the bond's face value. Set at the time the bond is issued, this rate does not change over the bond's lifespan. It determines the regular interest payments—known as coupons—that investors receive, playing a crucial role in how bonds are priced and evaluated by potential investors.
