Varanasi Municipal Corporation moves to relocate meat, fish markets in phased manner
Varanasi, June 7
In a significant policy shift aimed at streamlining urban infrastructure and public convenience, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation has announced a phased plan to relocate all meat, fish, and poultry shops from within city limits to designated areas on the outskirts.
The decision was formalised during a general house meeting chaired by Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari at the historic Town Hall in Maidagin.
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal outlined the roadmap for the transition. In the first phase, five strategic locations, Ramnagar, Sujabad, Ganeshpur, Avleshpur, and Shivpur, have been identified to host these markets. The move follows long-standing discussions regarding urban sanitation, zoning, and the challenges faced by traders during specific religious periods, such as the month of Shravan.
The corporation also took decisive action on several other fronts to enhance the city's development. Mayor Tiwari directed the immediate auction of approximately 40,000 cubic meters of soil extracted from the Jal Kal settling tank to boost municipal revenue.
Strict instructions were issued to complete construction on six major roads under the Chief Minister Grids Scheme according to contractual timelines.
Addressing concerns regarding the Kashi Interpretation Centre, the administration clarified that the historic Bhelupur Jal Kal building will remain intact. The project will instead utilise vacant land, incorporating solar energy infrastructure.
A proposal to develop a dedicated retail fruit market in Shivpur, featuring 500 shops, was discussed to better organise the city's trade landscape.In a commendable demonstration of environmental responsibility, the meeting was preceded by a symbolic gesture of sustainability. Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal, and other officials arrived at the Town Hall using e-rickshaws.
This action reinforced the Municipal Corporation's "No Fuel Day" initiative, observed every Saturday in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide call for environmental conservation and the reduction of carbon footprints.
The meeting served as a forum for intense debate on urban welfare, with councillors highlighting issues ranging from encroachment on local ponds and door-to-door garbage collection to ensuring water connectivity in the city's newly expanded wards.
By balancing heritage preservation with modern infrastructure needs, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation aims to create a more organised and environmentally conscious future for the Kashi region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Varanasi resident, I've seen this coming for years. The stench and flies near old meat markets were unbearable for families living nearby. But please ensure these traders get proper compensation and infrastructure – they're small businessmen, not big corporates. And 500 fruit shops in Shivpur? That's ambitious! Hope it helps farmers too.
Classic Varanasi politics – first create a mess, then 'streamline' it. Why not build proper markets before relocating? The soil auction sounds like a quick cash grab. And 'No Fuel Day' is gimmicky unless they provide reliable public transport alternatives. But I'll give credit for the Bhelupur Jal Kal building preservation – at least heritage isn't being bulldozed for a change.
I visited Varanasi last year and loved it, but the meat markets in narrow lanes were indeed a challenge for both locals and tourists. This seems like a step toward better urban hygiene. Curious how the 'Kashi Interpretation Centre' will work – sounds like a good initiative to explain the city's history. Hope the plan is implemented well!
Move the meat shops but what about the thousands of cows roaming freely? 😅 That's the real sanitation issue! Jokes aside, this is good for religious sentiments during Shravan, but let's not pretend it solves everything. The 500-shop fruit market is a great idea – Varanasi needs organised retail. Just hope the new locations are accessible by public transport.
I'm a trader in Ramnagar and we've
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