'Achche din' for Varanasi, tech giant Google to assist in makeover of the holy city

The ancient city of Varanasi, which elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Parliament is getting return gifts from the PM.

Days after announcing 'exhaustive makeover blueprint' for the holy city, PM Modi has reportedly recruited tech giant Google along with some top professionals and consultants to develop Varanasi as a national hub for culture and heritage. According to reports, the professionals will identify tourism hotspots in Varanasi and work towards beautification, landscaping of the city.

According to reports, the group will work towards easing congestion, erasing pollution from the city and thus, making it a nicer and cleaner place to visit. PM Modi has already expressed his desire to work for the development of the city and many companies have approached the Government with their proposals in this regard.

Modi's Kashi Vision

Recently, PM Modi took few meetings people from different fields to discuss on the development road-map for the city. Modi laid emphasis on the need to preserve, "pauranik swaroop" (ancient ethos) while implementing the so-called Kashi Vision. It is expected that Modi's Kashi Vision will get a high-power launch on 20th August.

Apart from this, meetings are being held on setting up a tourist help centre, upgrading local airport and granting visas on arrival for eligible international passengers.

Modi's Kashi Vision is expected to get a high-power launch on August 20.

Also, in an attempt to revive Varanasi's ancient traditions, the Government is mulling to establish a State-of-the-art music academy.

Plans to put Varanasi on global tourist map

In July, PM Modi took detailed presentations from different ministries on their proposals for Varanasi. In the meeting, it was decided that Varanasi be developed like a metro city with a major overhaul of its arterial roads and transport system.

Other than constructing new flyovers, the officials were asked to work on a possible mono rail, improvement of the bus network, and a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) a la the one in Ahmedabad.

Riverfronts have been proposed at Varuna and Asi rivers. The Modi Government in its maiden budget, has already announced a Rs 6,300-plus crore 'Namami Ganga' plan. In addition to this, a Rs 100 crore project has already been dedicated to ghat development and waterfront beautification.

Ancient landmarks and the heritage buildings have been proposed to lit up with LEDs and high power focus lights.

An exhaustive plantation drive has been planned after the widening of roads and laying an outer ring road surrounding the city.