The demolition drive under the Daalmandi Road Widening Project in Varanasi has been accelerated, with district authorities intensifying efforts to clear the route for road construction before the onset of the monsoon. A total of 105 houses have been completely demolished so far, while action against several other structures is continuing.
The demolition campaign is being carried out in the busy Daalmandi area by a joint team comprising the district administration, the Public Works Department (PWD), the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), and the Municipal Corporation under police supervision. Buildings falling within the alignment of the road widening project are being removed to enable uninterrupted construction.
According to officials, 105 houses have been completely demolished to date. In addition, debris from around 80 buildings has been cleared and the land levelled. The administration said the campaign has been expedited to ensure that road construction is not affected during the monsoon.
According to the Public Works Department, the Daalmandi Road Widening Project affects a total of 181 buildings and six religious sites. Structures within the project alignment are being removed using bulldozers and poclain machines. Around 200 workers are engaged in different shifts to carry out demolition and debris clearance simultaneously.
The administration stated that, since July 1, the management committees of Karimulla Beg, Nisaran, Ali Raza Khan, Sangmarmar and Rangeele Shah mosques have been voluntarily removing portions of their structures that fall within the road alignment through mutual agreement. Since July 3, the Varanasi Development Authority has also been carrying out demolition of seven additional houses.
Debris removal is continuing alongside demolition to prevent delays in the road construction process. Departmental officials said that more than 100 tractor-trolleys are being used each day to transport debris. On average, four to five tonnes of debris are generated from the demolition of each house and are removed immediately to clear the construction site.
Officials said the completion of the road widening project is expected to improve traffic movement in the Daalmandi area, where narrow roads and heavy congestion have long caused traffic bottlenecks. The project is intended to provide improved connectivity for local residents, traders and commuters.
The administration said its primary objective is to remove all affected structures and completely clear the road alignment before the monsoon so that construction can begin without delay. Coordination among the concerned departments is continuing, and local residents have been requested to cooperate with the project to facilitate its timely completion.
According to the administration, the Daalmandi Road Widening Project is among Varanasi's urban development works. Upon completion, it is expected to improve traffic movement and facilitate access for traders, pilgrims and tourists in the area.
