No attention to unkempt ghats of Ganga in Varanasi
VARANASI: Isn't the recent bid of government machinery to renovate the ghats along Ganga an eyewash?
The ghats along the Ganga are considered to be the face of this holy city. Majority of tourists, domestic or foreigners, visit this place to enjoy the scenic beauty of the ghats. More than 80 ghats are there in a stretch of about seven kilometers since the ancient period. Condition of most of the ghats, which are historical due to archeological importance, is pathetic. However, instead of paying attention to those ghats, renovation works are being planned for the ghats which have already been beautified and renovated under different projects in the recent years.
The ghats along the Ganga are considered to be the face of this holy city. Majority of tourists, domestic or foreigners, visit this place to enjoy the scenic beauty of the ghats. More than 80 ghats are there in a stretch of about seven kilometers since the ancient period. Condition of most of the ghats, which are historical due to archeological importance, is pathetic. However, instead of paying attention to those ghats, renovation works are being planned for the ghats which have already been beautified and renovated under different projects in the recent years.
The Dashaswamedh Ghat is an ideal example in this regard. In 2008, the
tourism department launched a project under which renovation of seven
ghats was ensured while beautification of many historical streets and
sites was also done by the CPWD. A total of Rs 138.8 lakh was spent on
the renovation of seven ghats including Raja ghat, Harishchandra ghat,
Rana Mahal ghat, Scindia ghat, Lalita ghat, Panchganga ghat and
Dashaswamedh ghat and beautification of eight bylanes and other
constructions at Asi ghat, Malviya Bridge, Rajghat and Harishchandra
ghat.
A group of officials, travel and tour operators, hoteliers, NGOs and others led by secretary tourism, Parvez Dewan and additional director general, tourism, Usha Sharma recently inspected the entire stretch of the riverfronts and identified those ghats for development, under public private partnership model, which were already in a good condition.
The selected sites including Dashaswamedh ghat, Rajendra Prasad, Kedar ghat, Rana Mahal ghat, Darbhanga ghat are already in a good condition and being well maintained by local and government authorities.
However, a close look at the majestic riverfront of the city reveals the condition of several other ghats which are in a dilapidated state because of the negligence prevailing over the years.
While Manikarnika ghat, thronged by hundreds of Hindus and tourists every day and which needs urgent renovation work, has not been included in the list. Conditions have also worsened at Jalasen ghat, a neighbouring ghat of Marnikarnika. The ghat is known for performing the last ritual of putting dead bodies in river Ganga before the cremation. The broken steps, ruptured embankments and scattered wastes with leftovers, dumped along the embankments, are enough to give a filthy and unhygienic look. The debris containing broken pieces of cemented structures, including remains of wooden boats, hardly gave any space to perform the ritual. One part of Lal ghat also touches Adi Shitala Ghat, which was renovated in 1772. Another Shitata ghat is located southwards touching the prominent Dashashwamedh Ghat in the city. The palaces and old buildings on the ghat need urgent restoration. Situations were not different at Trilochan ghat, Gaai ghat, Bundiparkota ghat. Most of these ghats are centuries old and showcase majestic architecture even in their dilapidated conditions.
In fact, the 18th century Balaji ghat in the northern stretch of Ganga has already been listed under world's 60 most endangered sites by World Monuments Fund (WMF). While the northern ghats are thronged by Hindu devotees from Maharashtra and southern states, the southern ghats, including Mansarovar ghat, Chowki ghat, Asi ghat, Tulsi ghat, Narad ghat, are famous for large footfall of tourists and backpackers.According to deputy director, UP Tourism, Avinash Mishra, a detailed estimation of the ghats that need restoration and renovation is being prepared. It will also be put in front of the Central government and if the government does not agree to carry out the renovation work on dilapidated ghats, state government will be sought for the same. Besides, the focus of officials was on identifying the ghats for development under PPP model.
A group of officials, travel and tour operators, hoteliers, NGOs and others led by secretary tourism, Parvez Dewan and additional director general, tourism, Usha Sharma recently inspected the entire stretch of the riverfronts and identified those ghats for development, under public private partnership model, which were already in a good condition.
The selected sites including Dashaswamedh ghat, Rajendra Prasad, Kedar ghat, Rana Mahal ghat, Darbhanga ghat are already in a good condition and being well maintained by local and government authorities.
However, a close look at the majestic riverfront of the city reveals the condition of several other ghats which are in a dilapidated state because of the negligence prevailing over the years.
While Manikarnika ghat, thronged by hundreds of Hindus and tourists every day and which needs urgent renovation work, has not been included in the list. Conditions have also worsened at Jalasen ghat, a neighbouring ghat of Marnikarnika. The ghat is known for performing the last ritual of putting dead bodies in river Ganga before the cremation. The broken steps, ruptured embankments and scattered wastes with leftovers, dumped along the embankments, are enough to give a filthy and unhygienic look. The debris containing broken pieces of cemented structures, including remains of wooden boats, hardly gave any space to perform the ritual. One part of Lal ghat also touches Adi Shitala Ghat, which was renovated in 1772. Another Shitata ghat is located southwards touching the prominent Dashashwamedh Ghat in the city. The palaces and old buildings on the ghat need urgent restoration. Situations were not different at Trilochan ghat, Gaai ghat, Bundiparkota ghat. Most of these ghats are centuries old and showcase majestic architecture even in their dilapidated conditions.
In fact, the 18th century Balaji ghat in the northern stretch of Ganga has already been listed under world's 60 most endangered sites by World Monuments Fund (WMF). While the northern ghats are thronged by Hindu devotees from Maharashtra and southern states, the southern ghats, including Mansarovar ghat, Chowki ghat, Asi ghat, Tulsi ghat, Narad ghat, are famous for large footfall of tourists and backpackers.According to deputy director, UP Tourism, Avinash Mishra, a detailed estimation of the ghats that need restoration and renovation is being prepared. It will also be put in front of the Central government and if the government does not agree to carry out the renovation work on dilapidated ghats, state government will be sought for the same. Besides, the focus of officials was on identifying the ghats for development under PPP model.
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