Having already announced beautification and rejuvenation of river fronts in the temple town of Ayodhya and its famous and historic ghats along river Sarayu, the Government has now decided to embark on similar projects for the other two world famous Hindu pilgrimage sites – holy Varuna River in Varanasi and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Irrigation Minister Shivpal Yadav will soon go to Varanasi and Vrindavan to lay the foundation stone for the prestigious projects.
The CM recently approved the project after a presentation on ‘Mission Varuna’ was made before him. Prepared by the irrigation department, the presentation says that a 12-km stretch of the river between Adikeshava ghat and west of Varuna Bridge has been identified for the project. Under the proposed project, the riverfront on Varuna will have an eco park, plazas, open sky gyms, play grounds and auditorium. “We have targeted Varuna because the river in its present form is the main source of pollution in the Ganga. There are 16 drains discharging into the river. Besides, along the river, there are several dumping grounds on the river banks,” explained principal secretary, irrigation, Deepak Singhal.
