VARANASI, May 17 -- The minister for urban development and energy, AK Sharma, on Saturday instructed that all urban development works-such as roads, drains, wall paintings, park maintenance and beautification, interlocking paving, and roadside landscaping-must be completed with immediate effect. Sharma held separate review meetings with officials from the urban development department and the energy department in Varanasi and issued necessary directions to them. On May 15 night, the minister also inspected the city, accompanied by the municipal commissioner. During this tour, he took stock of the city's roads, drains, beautification projects, and wall paintings. Construction activities were observed at several locations, where Sharma interacted with local residents to enquire about the quality and progress of the ongoing work. He specifically directed that the cleaning of drains be ensured before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent issues such as waterlogging. Special attention is to be paid to ensure that garbage and waste do not accumulate anywhere within the city, and that sanitation operations across the entirety of Varanasi are carried out with utmost diligence. He emphasised that this time, all residents of Varanasi must join hands and work collectively to secure a higher position for the city in the national sanitation rankings.htc...