Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma on Sunday launched a 76-day Ward Outreach Campaign from Surajkund in Varanasi’s City South Assembly constituency. The campaign, which will continue until October 2, aims to strengthen public engagement through door-to-door outreach, promote cleanliness, address civic grievances, and ensure the effective implementation of government welfare schemes.
Launching the initiative, Sharma said the campaign would carry Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to every household by fostering direct interaction between public representatives and citizens. He said the programme would focus on resolving local issues at the grassroots while encouraging public participation in cleanliness, environmental conservation and community development.
The minister said that two of the most influential leaders in India’s history to champion cleanliness have been Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled that after assuming office, Modi personally participated in cleanliness drives in the lanes of Varanasi, inspiring a nationwide movement through the Swachh Bharat Mission and transforming cleanliness into a people’s movement.
Highlighting the transformation of Varanasi under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Sharma said the city has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure and urban development over the past decade. He cited landmark projects including the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Namo Ghat, the Varanasi Ring Road, an international-standard stadium, the ropeway project and the Banas Dairy initiative as examples of the city’s rapid progress.
He also said the under-construction Elevated Corridor would emerge as a model infrastructure project for the country. According to Sharma, independent India’s development journey has never before witnessed such focused attention on preserving the heritage, cultural identity and modern growth of the ancient city of Kashi, describing it as a reflection of Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership.
Calling the Ward Outreach Campaign more than just a cleanliness initiative, the minister said it would serve as a platform for direct dialogue with residents. Public representatives will visit neighbourhoods to listen to citizens’ concerns, facilitate on-the-spot solutions wherever possible, and spread awareness about sanitation, environmental protection and government welfare programmes.
City South MLA Neelkanth Tiwari said the campaign would take the message of “Swachh Kashi, Sundar Kashi” to every household. Teams participating in the drive will interact with residents, identify civic issues and work towards their resolution in coordination with local authorities.
He added that the 76-day programme will also include beneficiary outreach camps, medical camps, plantation drives and a series of public awareness activities aimed at improving civic participation and strengthening community welfare.
The launch event was attended by elected representatives, government officials and a large number of local residents, who collectively reaffirmed their commitment to building a cleaner, greener and more developed Varanasi through sustained public participation.
