New green expressway will connect Bhopal and Delhi, reducing distance and travel time

The appearance of the Dalmandi area, primarily a Muslim quarter in Varanasi, has significantly changed over the past nine months. The previously very narrow and cramped streets of Dalmandi now resemble a wide road approximately 60 feet wide. These changes are clearly visible in drone footage taken before the demolition began and during the foundation laying ceremony for the road construction.

The Dalmandi expansion project is being implemented as an alternative route to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated this project about a year ago, on August 2, 2025, approving a budget of approximately 215 crore rupees. According to the plan, the narrow Dalmandi street, which is about 650 meters long, will be expanded to 17.4 meters, or approximately 60 feet.

Demolition work for this project began on November 29, 2025. Initially, the dismantling of buildings along the entrance to Dalmandi, located near the Chowk police station, was carried out manually by workers. As space became available for machinery, JCB excavators and heavy bulldozers were brought into the work.

187 buildings, including six mosques, were affected by the project. Another 181 structures were demolished. During the expansion, some mosques were completely damaged, while others were partially damaged. The administration reported that the expansion process continued after negotiations and reaching mutual agreement with the responsible persons of the mosques.

In early drone shots taken at the beginning of the demolition, Dalmandi looked like an extremely narrow alley where passage between densely packed buildings was very limited. However, after about nine months, during the foundation laying ceremony for the road construction, the same area looks completely different. After the removal of a significant portion of buildings on both sides, the planned width of the road became evident. Last Saturday marked the foundation laying ceremony for the road construction, signifying the project's transition from the demolition stage to the road paving stage.

The Dalmandi expansion project will now be overseen by the Public Works Department (PWD). There are reports that all work on the project will be completed by the end of November 2026. Upon completion, the 650-meter Dalmandi road will be 17.4 meters wide, providing pilgrims heading to Kashi Vishwanath Dham with a new alternative route. Furthermore, the administration believes that the construction of a wide road will benefit local traders and vendors in Dalmandi. It is expected that the neighborhood will gain a new look due to improved traffic flow and increased connectivity. Currently, the before-and-after drone footage demonstrates the massive transformations that have occurred in Dalmandi over the last nine months.

Due to the peak of the Kavandi pilgrimage procession during the sacred period of Sawan Shivaratri on Tuesday, there is a possibility of traffic slowdowns in many areas of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.

Considering the large number of pilgrims, the police of Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad have issued an extensive road warning for passengers. The main routes connecting Delhi with Noida, Noida with Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad with Delhi, and Delhi with Faridabad will be most affected. Passengers traveling on these routes are advised to use alternative routes or public metro transport.

According to the road police warning, heavy congestion is expected on several key roads on August 11th. Due to the movement of pilgrims at Kalindi Kunj and on the Noida-Delhi route, serious traffic jams may occur. Travelers moving between the areas of Sarita Vihar, Jasola, and the border sectors of Noida should expect delays. Additionally, during morning and evening rush hours, the speed of movement on the DND Flyway flyover will be reduced.

In accordance with the warning, restrictions related to the pilgrimage procession on Ashram Chowk, Matura Road, and Badarpur Marg will affect traffic movement between Central Delhi, South Delhi, and Faridabad. On the Faridabad-Delhi routes, tension will persist at the Badarpur border and adjacent entrances throughout the day due to Shivaratri. Long queues may also occur on other roads connecting Noida with Greater Noida and the Delhi border due to diversions.

The traffic police advises passengers to leave early if they need to reach an office, airport, or railway station. For trips between Delhi and Noida, it is recommended to use the metro instead of private transport. Before leaving home, always check the latest updates from the traffic police. Due to periodic diversions near the Kavandi camps and major Shiva temples, movement will be intermittent, so extra travel time should be allowed.

It should be noted that today, in observance of Sawan Shivaratri, a large number of pilgrims are heading to various Shiva temples in Delhi-NCR to perform Jalabhishek. Since the movement of pilgrims will continue throughout the night and into the early morning, large crowds may remain on the roads not only during working hours but also for extended periods. The administration has urged citizens to comply with official instructions and maximize the use of public transport.