VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated five Varanasi Smart City projects aimed at promoting sports and enhancing the physical and mental well-being of citizens and sportspersons in Varanasi and surrounding areas.
The projects, totaling Rs 227.64 crores, showcase the govt’s commitment to developing infrastructure for sports, recreation, and community development.
Varanasi Sports Complex Phase-2 & 3
After seven months of inaugurating a multi-level multi-sports indoor sports complex built in the first phase of the Varanasi Sports Complex, the PM inaugurated the phase-II and III works built at a cost of Rs 216.29 crores. This state-of-the-art complex includes facilities such as a National Centre of Excellence, a hostel building, coaches’ accommodation, and other sports fields.
The National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) will provide training for sportspersons in combat sports like boxing, fencing, and wrestling. In shooting, both 10 m and 25 m bays with state-of-the-art shooting equipment will be available for Olympic-level training. A state-of-the-art Sports Science Centre for recovery, rehabilitation, and strengthening is also available on the ground floor of the NCOE building.The NCOE will be operated and managed by the Sports Authority of India.
A hostel building dedicated to the NCOE for accommodating 180 trainee players and wardens was also dedicated to the nation. Another building with accommodation and facilities for coaches was also inaugurated.
In the field, a practice cricket ground, international standard football ground, lawn tennis, volleyball, basketball, and kabaddi courts are also developed.
The buildings are developed as green buildings with a GRIHA level 3 certification, and the entire complex has been developed to be accessible and differently-abled friendly.
Townhall Shopping Complex
The Townhall Shopping Complex has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.51 crore to provide organised facilities for the temporary shops located around Townhall Park in Maidagin, Varanasi. This shopping complex features 58 shops, as well as drinking water and toilet facilities. The establishment of this complex aims to promote business activities in the Maidagin area and improve traffic flow.
Sports Activity Area & Parking Facilities under Kakarmatta Flyover
A sports activity area and parking facility have been developed at a cost of Rs 1.49 crore under the Kakarmatta flyover. The project includes an air-conditioned activity zone for table tennis, carrom board, chess, etc; parking facility for 24 four-wheelers and 32 two-wheelers; CCTV cameras for monitoring public safety and security; and Green belt development through horticulture work in vacant spaces.
Beautification and Redevelopment of 20 Parks in Varanasi City
As many as 20 parks have been redeveloped at a total cost of Rs 7.85 crores, featuring: horticulture, boundary walls, open gyms, children’s play areas, jogging tracks, and art installations.
The redeveloped parks include Awaas Vikas Colony (8 parks), Naati Imli Park, Mahesh Nagar Colony Park, Azaad Park, Ashok Nagar Colony (4 parks), Ashok Vihar Colony-van Vibhag, Prem Chandra Nagar Colony, Deendayal Colony, Belwariya, and Kabir Nagar Colony (2 parks).
