Varanasi: Preparations are underway to develop Kashi into a major international water transport hub. In this regard, the long-awaited construction of the Saamne Ghat cruise terminal has been cleared. The nagar nigam’s executive committee has given in-principle conditional consent to hand over two acres of land located at Saamne Ghat to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). According to municipal authorities, the condition is that the authority will have to pay rent for this valuable land based on the DM circle rate, failing which one floor of the terminal building to be constructed will have to be allocated to the nigam. This will increase the nigam’s revenue and ensure proper monetisation of govt properties.This decision by the municipal corporation is expected to not only provide an organised basis for cruise operations, but also bring changes to city’s tourism and infrastructure. This project, to be built on two acres of land, is a major step towards making Kashi a global tourist hub, going beyond a smart city. This terminal will not only facilitate tourism on the waters of the Ganga, but will also add a new chapter to the economy of Banaras.Until now, most cruises and boats were limited to the main ghats, creating heavy pressure there. With the construction of this terminal, tourist movement across the Ganga and in the Saamne Ghat area will increase, providing new opportunities for local handicrafts and small traders. Hundreds of youths will get direct and indirect employment through cruise operations, terminal management and related services (hotels, guides, transport). This terminal will in future become the main stop for water taxis and other water transport services, reducing traffic pressure on the city’s roads.The municipal corporation has begun a survey of the city’s slum settlements. This includes the Kanshiram Awas located in Shivpur. The target is to repair basic amenities including electricity, roads, drains and clean drinking water in these settlements by Sept-Oct. Meanwhile, a new boundary wall and gaushala will be constructed at a cost of Rs67 lakh on vacant land behind the gaushala located at Aidhe. The expansion of the gaushala will provide better shelter to destitute cattle.The executive committee has given the green light to construct several projects from the Infrastructure Development Fund to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and expand public amenities. These include construction of a drain, watchman’s room, and toilet along the railway line near Nadeser at a cost of Rs98.59 lakh, along with interlocking work within the premises. In the Cantonment area, construction of a watchman’s room, toilet, submersible and drain is proposed at a cost of Rs44.96 lakh. Additionally, parking, office rooms, workshop shed, and other construction work will be carried out at Parade Kothi at a cost of approximately Rs1.52 crore.
