CM Yogi's Kashi visit focuses on improvement of traffic

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Varanasi: Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath
's two-day visit to Varanasi focused on ensuring further improvement in traffic situation as was evident from his asking for timely completion of road and bridge projects along with inspection of infrastructure development projects on Monday night.
Yogi's site inspections on Monday late evening started with the Mohansarai-Cantt widening and strengthening project, which costs Rs 412.53 crore. When officials informed Yogi that 89% of the projects, including a 6-lane service road between Mohansarai and Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar Chakia and a 4-lane road from Mohansarai to Cantt, was complete, he instructed PWD engineers to expedite the work and complete it by Aug.
Completion of the two projects will ease traffic on the routes, especially those used by vehicles to reach BHU and other parts of the city. Officials said due to massive traffic density, Mohansarai-Cantt road used to be choked, especially at night when heavy vehicles started entering the city via highways. It caused inconvenience to those traveling to BHU Hospital, railway and bus stations.
During Shrawan month, one lane of the Mohansarai-Cantt road is reserved for Kanwariyas by ensuring movement of traffic in both lanes in the only available lane.
As the widened road under this project is coming up with service lanes on both sides, closing the main road's lane for commuters will not be needed, hence traffic flow will remain smooth. Problems like waterlogging in rainy season, which also disrupts traffic and increases the risk of accidents, will also end.
As utility ducts have been ensured in the project, the problem of frequent road cutting by various departments for utilities will also end.
The project also includes intersection expansion, junction improvement, street lighting and road safety measures. Officials expect that not only will regular traffic and movement of pilgrims be eased, tourists visiting other destinations, including Sarnath, will also benefit.
Yogi also inspected a 650-meter railway overbridge being constructed at a cost of Rs 42.2 crore on the Mohansarai-Adalpura route, between Hardattpur and Rajatalab on the Varanasi-Prayagraj rail section.
He instructed that remaining work, which is almost complete, should be finished by Aug.
Regarding this RoB, officials said railway crossing on this route is often closed due to very heavy rail traffic. It causes inconvenience and delays for people traveling between Mohansarai and Adalpura. Completion of this overbridge will reduce travel time and costs for residents traveling to Varanasi city, Rajatalab sub-registrar office, Gangapur and LBS International Airport. Approximately 6,000 vehicles use this route daily and completion of this project will benefit around 150,000 people from 26 villages.

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