VDA Executes Demolition of Illegal Luxury Hotels on Varuna Riverbanks

The Varanasi Development Authority demolished two unauthorized luxury hotels on the Varuna Riverbanks, citing illegal earnings and multiple FIRs. The demolition was delayed by legal challenges since 2017-18 but finally executed on Saturday.

The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) executed a demolition drive on Saturday targeting two illegally constructed luxury hotels on the Varuna Riverbanks in Varanasi. The hotels, owned by the same individual, had been operating without the necessary approvals for over two decades.

Pulkit Khare, Vice-Chairman of the VDA, explained that the original permissions were for a ground floor plus two residential houses. However, the owner combined multiple plots to construct two hotels without the requisite approvals. Legal battles ensued, culminating in a 2019 court decision allowing administrative action, which was ultimately executed this weekend.

Khare further highlighted that despite multiple notices and FIRs since 2017-18, the illegal activities continued, generating illicit earnings. The VDA issued another notice last week, which went unheeded. This led to the successful demolition of the structures, ending a long-standing issue of non-compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)