Varanasi: As per the tradition of Kashi, the Namaste sculpture of “Namo Ghat” greeting the rising Lord Bhaskar is attracting tourists. The rays of the morning sun add to the beauty of the crescent-shaped ghats of Kashi. Similarly, tourists from all over the world are drawn to Kashi to see the supernatural view of Subah-e-Banaras. Now tourists will also be able to enjoy the divine and grand view of Subah-e-Banaras from the beautiful Namo Ghat with world-class facilities. Namo Ghat with international level facilities for faith, tourism and employment has been completed. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is proposed to formally inaugurate Namo Ghat on November 15. On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri will also be present.
Another concrete ghat has been added to the series of Kashi’s ghats, which are in harmony with antiquity and modernity. It is added as the first model ghat of Varanasi. It has been extended from Namo Ghat to Adikeshav Ghat (about 1.5 km). The design of the ghat and the sculpture of Namaste along with international facilities are attracting tourists. This will be the first ghat connected to water, land and sky, where helicopters can also land. Floating CNG station, open air theatre, kund, bathing kund and changing room have also been constructed here on the floating jetty. There are many other facilities besides yoga sthal, water sports, children’s play area, cafeteria. This is the first ghat of Varanasi, which has been made disabled friendly.
Namo Ghat has been reconstructed in two phases. It has been constructed in 81000 square meters at a cost of 91.06 crores. This project has been jointly funded by Smart City Mission and Indian Oil Foundation. The double engine government has built a permanent Namo Ghat, where there will be world class facilities. The sculpture saluting the sun has become the new identity of Namo Ghat.
Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi and Chairman of Smart City Kaushal Raj Sharma said that Make in India has been given special attention in the redevelopment of Namo Ghat. Vocal for Local will also be seen on this ghat. In future, people will also be able to enjoy water adventure sports and heli tourism here. To stay healthy, one can do morning walk, exercise and yoga. A ramp has been built up to the feet of Maa Ganga for the disabled and the elderly.
There is an open theater, library, lounge, bathing pool, food court for Banarasi food and multipurpose platform. Along with helicopter landing here, it can also be used in organizing various programs and crowd management. One can go to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Ganga Aarti by boat from the jetty. To make Ganga pollution free, the country’s first floating CNG station for CNG-powered boats has also been built at Namo Ghat. Apart from this, there is a separate CNG station for other vehicles as well. Other nearby cities can be visited through cruise from Namo Ghat.
Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said that the height of the big Namaste sculpture built in Phase One is about 25 feet and the small one is 15 feet, while the Namaste sculpture made of metal in Phase Two is about 75 feet high. It has been installed in the Amrit Mahotsav in the 75th year of India’s independence. Due to this Namo Namah sculpture, it has been named “Namo Ghat”.
A special pond has been built at Namo Ghat. Plantation has been done on the banks of the ghat for greenery and to prevent soil erosion. Like other ghats, a concrete ghat has been built for taking a dip of faith. A ramp has also been built here along with stairs. A bathing jetty has also been installed here. He told that the ghat has been prepared with gabion and rotation wall, so that it will be safe in floods. It looks like the old ghats. Vehicles can go up to Namo Ghat. There is provision for parking of vehicles on the ghat itself. Namo Ghat has been reconstructed in two phases.
