Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor

Owing to the congestion and narrow streets that prevented pilgrims from visiting the Varanasi ghats directly from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Indian Government has undertaken this Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project aims to enhance the pilgrim experience in the temple town of Varanasi.

In this article, candidates can read about the significance, history and background of the Temple corridor from the IAS exam perspective.

What is Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project?

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project proposes to connect the ancient and sacred Kashi Vishwanath temple to some ghats of Varanasi. Before, pilgrims had to walk through narrow and congested roads to reach these ghats after they had finished worshipping at this temple.

This negatively impacted the pilgrims’ experience. To solve this issue, this project aims at connecting ghats to the temple.

IAS aspirants must also review the NCERT Notes on Temple Architecture in India at the linked article. This comes as an integral part of the art and culture, and history section of the civil services exam.

Some Details of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Model

• The estimated cost of Phase 1 of the project is valued at Rs. 339 crores. It is spread across an area of 5 lakh sq. feet and comprises 23 buildings.
• This project’s foundation stone was laid in 2019, and it is estimated that it will take around Rs. 800 crores to complete.
• The government had to acquire over 300 properties to implement this grand plan.
• Around 1,400 shopkeepers, homeowners and tenants had to be rehabilitated, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Interestingly, 40 ancient temples were rediscovered during the process, and they were restored, ensuring the original structures were not changed.

Also, read

Opinions About the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project

While there have been positive opinions expressed about the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, there has also been some negative responses as well.

This move is being viewed as a symbolic resurrection of religious conscience in India.

Many of India’s saints and peers have applauded this move. They welcome the construction of this Corridor to connect some ghats with the sacred Kashi Vishwanath temple. They have favoured the project as a work of “unprecedented scale” that has “decongested” the shrine.

Tourism and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

Moreover, the Corridor was also created to boost tourism to the city. There is a Rudrakash Convention Centre which can seat around 1200 people and has divisible meeting rooms, an art gallery and a multi-purpose pre-function area.

Further, Ganga cruises are planned, road infrastructure has been upgraded, and Banaras railway station has been upgraded.

IAS aspirants can also read about the Major Indian River Systems at the linked article.

Inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Various other leaders joined him. They are the Chief Ministers of:

• Uttarakhand
• Uttar Pradesh
• Tripura
• Manipur
• Madhya Pradesh
• Karnataka
• Himachal Pradesh
• Haryana
• Gujarat
• Goa
• Deputy CMs from Bihar and Nagaland
• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed a Ganga Aarti on a Ro-Ro vessel at around 6 PM. On the following day, he attended the 98^th-anniversary celebrations of Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yog Sansthan at Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi. 

Therefore, this entire project was undertaken despite COVID-19, and it was met with grand success.

In light of preparation for the IAS Exam, this topic is very pertinent and relevant. As it occurred in 2021, the incident is highly important for UPSC preparation. So students should also supplement their study with some of the latest news from various portals.