Varanasi: Amid tight security arrangements, six bulldozers started demolishing demarcated portions of buildings which were not removed by their owners despite notices on Tuesday. The demolition drive was launched under the Kutchehri-Sandaha road widening project to remove structures obstructing traffic on the busy stretch.Under the Kutchehri-Sandaha four-lane project of Rs 317 crore, portions of around 425 buildings were demarcated in the 10 km stretch, said PWD’s executive engineer K K Singh. He said 16 buildings were not removed by their owners despite notices. Some of these buildings were also earmarked as dilapidated. One of these 16 buildings was demolished last week while demolition of 11 started on Tuesday. Officials said the demarcated portions of the remaining five buildings will also be removed soon as negotiation with their owners was in the final stage; he added.Earlier, a joint team of the district administration, Varanasi Municipal Corporation, PWD and other departments reached Kutchehri amid tight security arrangements. Apart from bulldozers, two high-capacity earth mover machines also reached there. Police ensured closing of the road between Police Lines crossing and Kutchehri Golaghar crossing, after which the bulldozers started demolishing demarcated portions of buildings. Some residents and shopkeepers tried to oppose the demolition drive but the officials ensured no law-and-order problem occurred there.Officials said the project is intended to increase road capacity, improve traffic flow and reduce travel time up to Sandaha on Varanasi-Ghazipur route. Once completed, the widened corridor is expected to provide major relief to daily commuters and improve connectivity of key parts of the city with ring road and highways.
