CM: Historical heritage must be preserved in all circumstances

Varanasi: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath gave a message to ensure that historical heritage is preserved in all circumstances while carrying out rejuvenation and construction works anywhere, especially at ghats and temples.This message from the CM came after the Jan 10 incident when the statue of Indore's Queen Ahilyabai Holker, carved into the walls of the Madhi (platform), was damaged and sparked political outrage. While reviewing progress in ongoing development works at the Circuit House here on Sunday evening, he directed officials to accelerate construction work on the project for rejuvenation of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats by increasing manpower. He cautioned against any laxity in the projects, especially when work is carried out at historical sites like ghats and temples.The CM directed officials to expedite the Dalmandi road-widening work by distributing appropriate compensation. Asking to ensure that work being done under the Amrit-2 scheme for sewerage and water supply improvement is carried out in a systematic manner, he called for intensive monitoring of the work and said repairs to roads damaged during any work should be ensured on priority.As the ropeway urban transport project is nearing completion, Yogi asked officials to keep its fare reasonable in view of the convenience of the general public. He asked them to expedite remaining work on the under-construction ropeway station at Godowliya, with robust arrangements for passengers to board and alight. He wanted cleanliness to be made more effective and directed officials to select suitable locations in the city to set up vending zones in a systematic manner. He asked for establishing Kanha Upavan and a Street Dog Centre in the city. He directed that underground cabling of electric wires be done as per standards to ensure the safety of the general public. In view of the summer, there should be no drinking water problem anywhere.Taking serious note of incidents of misbehaviour with women and other visitors at Kashi Vishwanath temple on the occasion of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Yogi made it clear that there should be no complaints of misbehaviour by police with devotees at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, nor should any mismanagement take place anywhere. He directed the police and temple administration to make appropriate improvement in the system. He said that access of devotees to shops built in Kashi Vishwanath Dham should be ensured, and the rates of items being sold should be kept reasonable. Laying special emphasis, he said that religious institutions are not a means of earning money, but are places of faith; therefore, better arrangements should be ensured for devotees at these places.Reviewing law and order, Yogi said that all religious activities should be conducted within the premises of religious places only. No new traditions will be permitted. It should be ensured that loud silencers and pressure horns are not used, and vehicles are not parked by encroaching on roads. He asked officials to create awareness among schoolchildren by providing them information about traffic rules.After reviewing progress in investigation in cases related to codeine cough syrup smuggling, he said action should be taken against the accused. On cases of religious conversion through gyms in Mirzapur, he said that all gyms should be inspected, and it should be ensured that female trainers are available for women in gyms.