Varanasi Security Alert: CJI Justice Surya Kant Visits, Traffic Restrictions, No Vehicle Zones & Diversions Jan 16-17

VARANASI: The holy city is under a heavy security blanket today as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant, along with Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and a delegation of 5 Supreme Court and 18 High Court judges, arrives for a two-day visit.

The Schedule:

Today (Jan 16): The judicial delegation will arrive in Varanasi and perform darshan-pujan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. They will stay overnight at the Taj Hotel.

Tomorrow (Jan 17): The team will proceed to Chandauli for a district-level program.

Traffic Advisory (Crucial for Commuters): Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam and ADCP Traffic Anshuman Mishra have issued strict guidelines to ensure security and smooth movement:

No Vehicle Zone: The Maidagin to Godowlia route is completely closed to vehicles.

Evening Diversions: From 6:00 PM, vehicles going from Godowlia to the temple will be diverted via Pandey Haveli and Ramapura.

Entry Restrictions:

Heavy Vehicles: Goods carriers from Padao/Sujabad are banned from entering the city after 3:00 PM (diverted to Ramnagar).

Cars: Four-wheelers from the same route are banned after 5:00 PM.

Tourist Buses: Banned at Nammo Ghat. Parking is designated at Basanta College and Pani Tanki Railway Ground.

Saturday Alert: On Jan 17, four-wheeler traffic from Chandauli to Varanasi via Ring Road Phase-2 will be suspended from 8:00 AM.