Japanese delegation visits Varanasi to make it 'smart' city

A delegation from Japan visited holy city of Varanasi on Monday as part of a partnership agreement focusing on how to preserve heritage while building smart cities.

Last year, Kyoto and Varanasi signed an agreement to cooperate in the fields of culture, arts, academics, heritage conservation and city modernisation.

Varanasi plans to adopt Kyoto's solid waste technique to help get rid off the garbage from the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Japan last year, hoped that Kyoto will serve as a template for his vision of building 100 'smart' cities in India - and to develop Varanasi on the river Ganges that he represents in parliament.

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On Monday, officials from Japan embassy along with the delegation visited Varanasi and inspected the garbage plants in Karsada and Ramna areas.

Meanwhile, Varanasi's mayor Ram Gopal Mohle said waste management was one of the serious issues in the city.

"Solid waste management comes under city modernisation. Solid-liquid waste is the main problem in Varanasi. We have been to Japan too. In Japan they have well developed techniques and so we would adapt the same technique in Varanasi. We would also request for financial aid from Japan in this regard," said Mohle.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on garbage disposal will be signed on Tuesday in which Japan will extend its expertise to help rejuvenate the city and would be able to support Varanasi financially.