Varanasi: Budget for financial year 2026-27 included proposal of Rs 100 crore for expansion of tourism facilities and strengthening of infrastructure in Varanasi and Vindhyavasini Devi Dham. With priority given to tourism, religious sites like Varanasi and Vindhyavasini Dham are expected to be transformed and add new dimensions of economic development and employment generation.The proposed Rs 100 crore for Vindhyavasini Devi Dham in Mirzapur district, includes provisions for expansion of facilities for devotees and strengthened security management. Tourism joint director Dinesh Kumar said the proposed allocation would be used to upgrade facilities around ghats, traffic management, signage system, tourism information centres, sanitation system and improved security arrangements. Local handicrafts, artisans and traders will also receive direct benefits. An arrangement of Rs 200 crore is proposed for developing triangular area of Mirzapur district, circumambulation path, and public facility sites of Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Maa Ashtabhuja Temple and Maa Kali Khoh Temple. Besides this, Kashi-Vindhya Regional Development Authority was formed, under which integrated planned development of included districts Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Sonbhadra will be possible.Tourist footfall will increase at places like Varanasi and Vindhyachal, so hotels, transport, guides, handicrafts and local businesses will get boost, increasing income of small traders and artisans. With complete development of Kashi, Varanasi’s identity will be strengthened at international level. “With allocation of Rs 100 crore, tourism facilities will be developed in the Varanasi and Mirzapur region. State govt’s budget has proposals for construction and expansion of airstrips for air connectivity, which will also benefit tourism,” said Rahul Mehta, president of the tourism welfare association, UP.“Tourism development is happening in entire Purvanchal, including Kashi, which is continuously promoting the tourism industry. Purvanchal’s tourism will once again emerge rapidly on world map. This will create more employment opportunities for local people,” said Sandhya Singh, director, TFG tours and travels Varanasi.
