Bureaucrats Magazine – The transfer order was sent from the government level on WhatsApp late at night. It is being told that due to slow progress of big projects and delay in development works, the officers have been punished. After the transfer order came, both the officers did not reach office in the morning. VDA Vice President reached the office at around 4 pm and met the people of the city….
Bureaucrats Magazine –Following the displeasure of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) Vice Chairman Abhishek Goyal and Municipal Commissioner Shipu Giri were transferred late on Thursday night. The transfer order was sent from the government level on WhatsApp late at night. It is being told that due to slow progress of big projects and delay in development works, the officers have been punished.
Bureaucrats Magazine –After the transfer order came, both the officers did not reach office in the morning. VDA Vice President reached the office at around 4 pm and met the people of the city. The Municipal Commissioner continued to dispose of files from the camp office throughout the day. VDA Vice President and Municipal Commissioner attended the board meeting of Smart City held under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner late in the evening.
Bureaucrats Magazine –Due to delay in implementation of Transport City Plan, Development of Ring Road and Master Plan-2031 in Varanasi, there were questions on the working style of VDA. The matter of illegal construction had also reached the PMO and the government. The public representatives of the district had also given information about the entire matter to Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra and Principal Secretary of Urban Development. The functioning was described as very poor. Displeasure was also expressed over the token system of traffic in VDA.It was said that the common man cannot go to the office normally. One is allowed inside only after making a token. This has increased resentment among the city residents. The issue of going out in the city and avoiding public representatives had also reached the PMO.
Bureaucrats Magazine –On the other hand, even after five months of civic elections, no new initiative was taken by the Municipal Corporation in Varanasi. The issues which were approved in the Municipal Corporation House and the Executive Committee could not even be implemented. The Chief Secretary, who visited Kashi about one and a half months ago, was also informed about the entire matter. The Chief Secretary had also taken feedback from many officers and personnel including the Mayor.
Bureaucrats Magazine -Transportnagar scheme could not get off the ground……..
Bureaucrats Magazine –Abhishek Goyal, who was posted as Chief Development Officer in Varanasi, was given the command of Varanasi Development Authority on 19 September 2022. Since then, he was entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the government’s ambitious Transport City Scheme which was stuck for 20 years. In this, the dispute had increased after lathi charge to free the land from encroachment from the farmers. Although the authority got possession of about 48 hectares of land,But the Transport City Plan has not yet taken off on the ground. Along with this, VDA was not able to take effective action in implementing the Master Plan 2031 and stopping illegal constructions.
Bureaucrats Magazine –There is no pace for the development of new areas. Municipal Commissioner Shipu Giri took charge in Varanasi on 27 February 2023. It was believed that the Municipal Commissioner, along with the new team of the Municipal Corporation, would give a message of major change in the city, but even after more than five months, such an initiative could not be taken. The development of new wards included in the Municipal Corporation area also could not be as per expectations. Problems of electricity, water and roads remain. No special arrangements were made for cleaning.
Bureaucrats Magazine -VDA’s weakness visible here too………
To make the city jam free, Transport Nagar project has not taken off the ground, lack of communication with transports.- Delay in other projects including Pro Poor, Undi Tal, no new project has been initiated in the development of the city. – Delay in allotment of ready-made plaza for well-organized business area from Godaulia to Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Bureaucrats Magazine –No work on new residential projects and lack of concrete action plan to beautify the city – Delay in passing of maps as well as inability to take effective action against illegal constructions – Lack of communication with the people of the city and distance from the general public
Bureaucrats Magazine -Municipal Corporation could not maintain trust – No change in cleanliness system in the city – Lack of concrete action plan for public facilities in new areas – No initiative to free the city’s parks, ponds and other encroachments – No success as expected in removing temporary encroachment in the city
Bureaucrats Magazine -New Municipal Commissioner and VDA Vice President will take charge on Monday …..The new Municipal Commissioner and VDA Vice President appointed by the government will come to Kashi on Monday. He will take charge on the same day. New Municipal Commissioner Akshat Verma told that he will come to Kashi on Monday. Will take charge on the same day. On the other hand, new VDA Vice President Pulkit Garg said that he will come to Varanasi on Monday. Will take charge on the same day.
