Uttar Pradesh

• 26 Apr 2023

International Cricket Stadium to be built in Varanasi

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on 25 April 2023, a 32-acre International Cricket Stadium will be built at Ganjari in Rajatalab Tehsil of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The process of its construction has started.

Key Points:

• This international cricket stadium to be built in Varanasi will be operated on a PPP model. Its construction will also be done along the same lines. The tender has also been issued by UPCA for the selection of a construction company for construction on the EPC model.
• The company will be selected for work on EPC i.e. Engineering, Procurement and Design (Engineering, Procurement of Goods and Design) mode.
• The company will be selected for work on EPC i.e. Engineering, Procurement and Design (Engineering, Procurement of Goods and Design) mode.
• In online tender, companies can bid online on UPCA's website. Bidding companies will have to deposit Rs 5 crore as a security deposit.
• The capacity of this stadium will be 30 thousand spectators. Around Rs 400 crore will be spent on the construction of the stadium.
• It is known that recently the experts along with BCCI Secretary Jai Shah and Vice President Rajeev Shukla had also inspected the proposed land.

Water Taxi to be operated in Kashi on the lines of Water Metro in Kerala

Why in News?

On 25 April 2023, Sanjay Bandhopadhyay, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, said that on the lines of the country's first water metro in Kerala, water taxis between Namo Ghat (Northernmost) to Assi Ghat (Southernmost) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, will be introduced in Indian inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and will be operated in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.

Key Points

• This taxi will ply from one end to the other of all the 80 Ghats of Varanasi. 4 stations will be built for this in between. The Waterways Authority will provide floating jetties at all ghats. This will make it easier for people to get on and off taxis.
• This water taxi will not only be used for transportation, but people will also be able to take a view of the beautiful Ghats of Banaras.
• It is to be known that at present cruise and cargo operations are going on in Varanasi. It is used only by tourists. But the people of Varanasi will also be able to use the water taxi to get rid of the jam on the road.
• It is worth mentioning that recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first water metro in Kerala.