Varanasi: Of 187 buildings demarcated as part of the ambitious Dalmandi road widening project, 125 have been demolished as on Tuesday. Preparation is complete to demolish 12 more buildings Thursday onwards, said K K Singh, PWD executive engineer, adding that the number of buildings demolished is likely to cross the 140 mark by weekend. Negotiations with management panels of six mosques included in the list of buildings demarcated have not concluded so far, said officials.Initially, low power machines were engaged for demolition, but since Monday, heavy duty earthmovers were deployed. Locals started hue and cry on Monday evening on seeing earthmovers parked near Langda Hafiz masjid. Apart from demolition, removal of debris is in progress. PWD aims to complete demolition before the onset of monsoon in the region.Under this Rs 224-crore project, the 650-metre Dalmandi road will be converted into a 17.4 metre-wide road after removal of 187 buildings. It will improve access to Kashi Vishwanath Dham’s gate-4 from Naisadak point on Lahurabir-Godowlia road by shifting load of commuters from other roads, especially Maidagin-Godowlia route leading to the shrine area.
