There is encouraging news for the lakhs of tourists who visit Kashi and for the city's own residents. As Varanasi moves further along its smart-city journey, a cluster of everyday amenities is now set to be made available right out on the streets, all under one roof. To make this happen, the city will get a network of Smart Public Facility Centres, and Varanasi Smart City has already drawn up the complete blueprint for them.
A Network Across 18 Locations
Under the plan, 18 separate spots across the city have been picked for these centres, and the land for each has already been earmarked. Alongside Ambedkar Chowk at Kachahari, the centres will come up at Lanka, Ravindrapuri, Assi, Girjaghar, Rathyatra, Sigra, Nadesar, Ardali Bazaar and Cantt, among other prominent areas. Notably, these sites have been chosen with the busiest stretches in mind — the places where footfall is heaviest through the day.
What Visitors Get, and at What Cost
Each centre will offer seating for the public along with toilets, RO water, air conditioning and mobile charging points. On top of that, free Wi-Fi will be available on the streets here. The biggest takeaway is that none of these facilities will carry any charge — people will be able to use them entirely free. Each centre will also house shops selling everyday essentials, so that several needs can be met in a single spot.
PPP Model and the Total Spend
According to Shakambhari Nandan, PRO of Varanasi Smart City, these Smart Public Facility Centres will be built on the PPP (PPP) model. Constructing a single centre will cost around 35 lakh rupees, which puts the total cost of the entire project at an estimated 6.3 crore rupees. In the crowded parts of the city where commuters often have to wait a long while for public transport, these centres are expected to bring real relief.
Tourists Stand to Gain the Most
The single biggest beneficiary of this initiative will be the lakhs of tourists arriving in Kashi. It is a common sight to see visitors wandering the streets in search of somewhere to charge their phones. Once these centres are up and running, that hassle will be gone, and travellers will be able to charge their devices with ease. People will also be able to pause here and wait for family or companions. It is worth noting that a similar centre was set up a few years ago at Kachahari Chauraha in Varanasi, and the remaining centres will now be modelled on that very example.
