Varanasi: Under the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project, approximately 10,000 shops, predominantly owned by members of the Muslim community, are set to face demolition near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This largescale urban development initiative aims to improve road networks and provide seamless access between the temple and the Ganga Ghats for pilgrims.
The project is focused on the Dalmandi area, where Muslims constitute a significant portion of the population. Reports from Dainik Bhaskar highlight the potential for substantial financial losses for residents and shop owners, sparking concerns about compensation and rehabilitation.
Previous efforts to push forward the corridor have faced resistance due to the social and economic implications of such largescale demolitions. Critics argue that the plan could disrupt the socio-economic fabric of the neighbourhood. However, local authorities have defended the move, citing the need for urban renewal and improved connectivity in one of Hinduism’s most sacred regions.
The project’s scale involves demolishing thousands of shops to widen roads and enhance infrastructure. While the government envisions this as a step towards modernising religious sites, many fear the long-term impact on the lives and livelihoods of affected residents.
This urban overhaul has reignited debates about balancing development with the rights and rehabilitation of marginalised communities, especially in areas of cultural and religious diversity.