Facelift for Ganga riverfront in Allahabad,Varanasi

“The design of Assi Ghat is under consideration. Consultants for preparation of DPR for Kanpur and Allahabad will also be appointed soon,” said A K Srivastava,managing director of UP Jal Nigam which is handling the project.

The work will involve beautification of the riverfront,laying of circulation networks like pathways,development of plazas,parking,and inner streets within the area.

Besides,improvement and restoration of ghats,development of tourism-related infrastructure, information system and services will be undertaken and conservation guidelines framed for heritage buildings in the area,keeping in mind river ecology,land use,cultural heritage and issues of pollution.

“At present,there are not even change-rooms and toilets for pilgrims and tourists who visit the ghats in these cities,” said an official.

The DPR will propose arrangements for collection and disposal of ritual offerings which are currently thrown into the river,adding to the pollution. Jetty-like arrangements will be proposed to decongest the riverfront of boats. The need and requirement of pandas would be studied so that they could be given facilities along the ghats. Lighting of public areas,like streets and ghats,will be done through solar power.

“During the monsoon,when the water level is high,the lower steps of the ghats get submerged. A possible solution to connect the ghats in monsoons needs to be worked out,” official said.