VARANASI, Aug. 9 -- The 650-metre-long Dalmandi road in Varanasi is set for a makeover, with the groundbreaking ceremony for its widening held on Sunday. Varanasi South MLA Neelkanth Tiwari performed the bhoomi pujan, following which construction work began on the project aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving access to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The road, currently 5.6 metres wide, will be widened to 17.5 metres under the project, which officials said is targeted for completion by November 2026. The project has been allocated around Rs.216 crore.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will construct the road, which will have footpaths, underground sewer lines, drinking water and drainage systems, along with Wi-Fi facilities...