Namo Ghat likely to be ready by June-end in Varanasi

The second and final phase of Namo Ghat downstream Ganga work is being completed on a war footing for the formal inauguration of the city's longest ghat by June.

"All work on II. and III. a phase of the Namo Ghat project has been expedited to make it ready for inauguration at the end of June,” Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said on Wednesday.

With three 'namaste' (a pair of joined hands) statues in a welcome gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to inaugurate Namo Ghat in July 2022 after the completion of Phase I work. However, the plan was changed and it was decided that it would be formally inaugurated after the completion of the final phase work.

With the completion of the Phase II and III works Namo Ghat will become the longest ghat along the Ganga River in Varanasi as it will span 1.71 km between Bhaisasur Ghat (Rajghat) and Aadi Keshav Ghat at the confluence of Ganga and Varuna rivers, the Major General said. Manager Varanasi Smart City Limited D Vasudevan. Officials said the cost of the first phase of the Namo Ghat project was Rs 109 crore, while Rs 206.11 crore was spent on the last two phases.

Apart from the 'visarjan kund' (immersion pond), children's playground, yoga and meditation park, open-air theatre, green space with benches and gazebos, open-air restaurant, water sports complex, sculptures and murals and multi-purpose platform, which can also be used as a helipad or stage for various events, are part of the project, air force using multi-purpose platforms like helipads,” the commissioner said.

He asked the officials to ensure the timely completion of construction of the Gabeon wall, boundary wall and barricades up to Aadi Keshav Ghat, flooring and gardening works.

Namo Ghat will also be wheelchair accessible as its ramps will make each of its points accessible for them, Vasudevan said, adding benches and gazebos reflecting traditional Kashi architecture, a plaza with souvenirs and local artefact shops, CNG filling stations for vehicles at ground level and Boats on river bank, jetty for embarking and disembarking boats as well as signage and lighting are also added features of this ghat.