Namo Ghat: Authorities Roll Back Entry Fee After Facing Ire Of People On Social Media

Namo Ghat: Varanasi Smart City project PRO Shakhambhari Nandan said, that the decision was taken back on Wednesday after directions from higher officials.

Three large sculptures in the form of hands folded in "namaste" at Namo Ghat (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi: Amid the heavy protest on social media, the authorities have retracted the decision of levying a fee for entry to the Namo Ghat, as reported by news agency PTI. Varanasi Smart City project PRO Shakhambhari Nandan said, that the decision was taken back on Wednesday after directions from higher officials. Earlier, former Minister of State of Samajwadi Party Manoj Rai Dhupchandi said that BJP is destroying the thoughts and names of all those personalities who have once been against this anti-socialist ideology. 

"Now without paying, people won't be able to reach Maa Ganga for religious works. This was done for the first time in the history of Kashi. My party will protest it," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and former MLA Ajay Rai also criticised the govt for levying entry fees, saying now in the prime minister's constituency, the tax will be imposed for roaming on ghats and in parks.

He accused the government of "commercialising faith" after "ruining" the country’s economy.

"People of Kashi will give you a reply for this," he added.

In the year 2019, PM Modi inaugurated the Namo Ghat which was built in two phases. Namo Ghat is the first such Ghat of Kashi which is connected by water, land and air. There are three large sculptures in the form of hands folded in "namaste" that has been built at a cost of 34 crores. Namo Ghat is about half a kilometer long in which Make in India and Vocal for Local have been promoted. GAIL India has also built a floating CNG station at this ghat.

Here's how people reacted to the decision of levying an entry fee:

So, Now visitors will have to Pay ₹10 as “Entry Fee” to visit “NaMo Ghat” in Banaras. It comes with Validity of 4 Hours. As a Banarasi who Lived & Grew up on Ghats, never thought I’ll get to see such a thing.@narendramodi Hon. Saansad ji, Will you Please spare the Ghats? pic.twitter.com/86FnALxahn

— Vaibhav Singh (@vaibhavUP65) August 3, 2022

For the first time in the history of #Varanasi, the #DoubleEngine Govt is levying entry tax of ₹10 to visit Namo Ghat for 4 hrs.

Kashi is synonymous with Lord Shiva, Ganga & Ghats.#GujaratModel in UP? What bigger injustice to people of Kashi than this?#FakeModel @KTRTRS pic.twitter.com/G2rn9WZmXB

— Putta Vishnuvardhan Reddy (@PuttaVishnuVR) August 3, 2022

An entry fee of Rs 10 is charged for visitors at Namo Ghat in Varanasi.
First ghat in the city where visitors charged for entry.

Not on vaccination certificates Modi ji, please place your photo on the entry ticket too here.👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/NwyzObGMlh

— Gowtham Pothagoni (@Gowtham_Goud6) August 3, 2022