Varanasi: As November 15 deadline looms, 69% work of KVT Dham completed

VARANASI: With only two months left for meeting the November 15 deadline of completing the ambitious over Rs 700 crores Kashi Vishwanath Dham project, concerned officials claimed that while 69% work has been completed so far, structural work of three buildings was started recently.
Regarding the possibility of meeting the revised deadline, which was initially August-end, divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal said, “Of the total buildings proposed inside the KV Dham project area, structural work of 15 major buildings has been completed.Besides beginning the finishing and interior work in these 15 buildings, work of Mandir Chowk and Kashi Vishwanath temple’s main premises has also been finalized.”

“Now, work of floor construction is taking place inside KVT premises. We are working at an accelerated pace to meet the deadline,” he added.
Second wave of Covid-19 has not only delayed the work of the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Dham (Corridor) project for the second consecutive year, but also led to rescheduling of its deadline.
Now, instead of the deadline of August-end, the project’s initially sanctioned work is likely to be completed by November 15. New features like Ganga view point, which were added later to this project, will be completed later as formality of approval by the state government could also not be taken due to the second wave of Covid-19.
Talking about the delay caused due to the second wave of Covid-19, Agrawal said, “The official leading the team of the company executing the KV Dham project had become Covid-19 positive himself. Not only this, but a large number of labourers, including many from West Bengal, had left for their places with the surge in Covid cases.”
“Moreover, the wave also compelled the working agency to minimise manpower for maintaining social distancing at work sites as per Covid protocol. These factors hampered the progress of the project. However, we are still confident of completing the remaining work by November 15,” he added.
After all barriers, including purchase of 296 buildings in the vicinity of KVT and their removal following approval of this ambitious project by the Yogi Adityanath government in December 2017 were scaled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the foundation of the project on March 9, 2018. The project was continuing at an accelerated pace till two waves of Covid-19 hampered it twice.
“Despite the odds created by two waves of Covid-19, efforts continued for timely completion of the project,” said PWD executive engineer Sanjay Gore, who is supervising the project proposed to come up in an area of 5.30 lakh square feet.
He said, “A total of 24 buildings are coming up in the KV Dham area. Of these, structural work of 15 has been 100% completed and further work, including finishing and interior is in progress. Work at nine buildings is in progress while construction of three has been started recently due to logistic reasons.”
“Construction of jetty and its retaining wall at Manikarnika, Jalasen and Lalita ghats had already been completed,” he said adding, “In all, 69% work of KV Dham is complete and finalisation of exterior stone work has also started giving the glimpse of the beauty that this shrine will wear after completion.”
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in January 2020, the Gujarat- based company assigned the contract for KV Dham construction under the supervision of PWD had started work with a deadline of 18 months to complete the project. Before the commencement of construction, the state government had spent over Rs 300 for the purchase of 296 identified buildings after which a budget of Rs 347.5 crore was approved for the construction work.