LUCKNOW | Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma, during his high-level review meeting in Varanasi, sent a clear message to officials: “Accelerate development, and never compromise on quality.” Chairing the session at the Circuit House, the Minister addressed critical infrastructure needs, sanitation, and power stability, emphasizing that Varanasi—as a global spiritual and tourism center—must reflect world-class standards.
Infrastructure & Sanitation: Zero Tolerance for Waterlogging
With the monsoon season approaching, Minister Sharma prioritized drainage management. He issued a stern warning that waterlogging will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
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Drainage Overhaul: The Municipal Corporation and Jal Kal Department were ordered to synchronize efforts to complete desilting and drain cleaning before the first rains.
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Modern Urbanization: Progress on the CM Grid Scheme and the Global Nagarodaya Scheme was reviewed. The Minister directed that these initiatives be used to transform Varanasi into a modern, organized city with visible ground-level results.
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Aesthetic Improvements: Instructions were given to prioritize interlocking work along roadsides and launch a rigorous anti-encroachment drive to ensure smooth traffic flow and urban beauty.
Energy Sector: Major Relief for Small Consumers
In a significant move to protect consumer interests, Minister Sharma announced new protective measures for electricity users, particularly for those with low loads.
| Consumer Category | New Relief Measure |
| Up to 1 kW Load | Connection will not be disconnected even if the balance is negative. |
| Up to 2 kW Load | Relief/Discount of up to 200 provided. |
| Public Holidays | No disconnection on Sundays or public holidays regardless of balance. |
Standard Operating Procedure for Disconnections:
The Minister strictly mandated that no connection be severed without a 5-stage SMS alert system to inform the consumer. This transparency aims to prevent sudden outages for households during financial distress.
Power Supply: “Tripping is Unacceptable”
Expressing strong displeasure over frequent power interruptions, Shri Sharma ordered a total halt to “tripping” issues.
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Uninterrupted Supply: Officials were told to ensure 24×7 seamless power across all sectors.
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Underground Cabling: The Minister reviewed the progress of underground cabling and ordered the pace to be quickened to meet the rising summer demand.
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Future-Proofing: He emphasized that infrastructure must be planned according to future demand forecasts to avoid long-term inconveniences.
Key Attendees
The meeting was attended by prominent officials including:
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Shri Ashok Tiwari, Mayor of Varanasi
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Shri Shambhu Kumar, MD, Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam
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Shri Himanshu Nagpal, Municipal Commissioner
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Additional Municipal Commissioners and senior departmental engineers.
“Varanasi is the soul of our culture and a premier tourist destination. Our facilities must be of the highest grade. Every project must be time-bound, transparent, and superior in quality.” — Minister A.K. Sharma
