PM Modi To Inaugurate Phase-1 Of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Project Today

At around 1 PM on Monday (13 December), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer prayers at Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple; after that, he will inaugurate the phase-1 of Sri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, constructed at the cost of around Rs 339 crores.

The Sri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project was conceptualised to create an easily accessible pathway to connect Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the banks of the River Ganga. The project's foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister on 8 March 2019.

"Prime Minister took a keen and active interest at all stages of the project. Regular briefings, reviews and monitoring was done by the Prime Minister himself, and he constantly gave inputs and insights to improve the project and make it more accessible for pilgrims, including for the disabled," the Prime Minister's Office said.

The project was designed to provide easy access for the disabled and old age people with ramps, escalators, and other modern facilities.

A total of 23 buildings will be inaugurated in phase-1 of the project. They will provide various facilities to the pilgrims visiting Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, Food Court, among others.

The project involved purchasing and acquiring more than 300 properties around Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, leading to a massive increase in space around the temple available for devotees. This project has increased the area available from 3,000 square feet to five lakh square feet.

"In this endeavour, the rehabilitation of around 1,400 shopkeepers, tenants and homeowners were done amicably. The testimony of the success is the fact that there is no litigation pending in any court of the country regarding acquisitions or rehabilitation related to the development of the project," the Prime Minister's Office said.

"During the process of destruction of the old properties, more than 40 ancient temples were rediscovered. These temples have been restored and beautified, while ensuring that there is no change in the original structure," it added.