Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a famous tourist destination, with a huge number of tourists and pilgrims. The authorities ensure proper facilities to cater to the city’s population and the growing number of travellers. The Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) is the municipal authority responsible for providing various public services and developing the infrastructure of the city. The civic body has undertaken several projects and initiatives for transforming Varanasi into a sustainable city. Moreover, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation provides various e-services through its official portal. In this article, we share key details about the VNN and its services, initiatives and projects.
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: Overview
The Varanasi Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation) is the governing body of Varanasi, comprising elected members, headed by a Mayor. The civic body is responsible for the planning, development and upkeep of the city. It was established on January 24, 1959, as a Nagar Mahapalika under the Municipal Corporation Act of 1959 and, in 1994, it was upgraded to Nagar Nigam. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has 90 wards and covers 82 km2.
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: Mission and objectives
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation aims to make Varanasi a self-reliant and sustainable city. It focuses on enhancing the quality of life by providing basic amenities to the citizens. It is responsible for undertaking various functions.
As provider
- Potable water supply
- Underground sewage system
- All-weather roads
- Sustainable practices, such as solid waste management
- Health coverage for all
- Primary education for the needy, with library facilities for all
- Up-gradation of the amenities in the slums and alternative accommodation
- A clean, green and pollution-free environment
- Facilities for pilgrims and tourists
As facilitator
- Support trade and commerce
- Oversee health services
- Promote higher education and research
- Facilitate cultural activities, sports and games, recreation and entertainment facilities
- Develop local industries, handicrafts and artefacts
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: Departments
- Accounts: Responsible for managing the income and expenses of the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi and preparing the annual budget
- Audit: Responsible for undertaking tasks, such as auditing the income and expenditure-related bills of municipal corporations
- General engineering: Responsible for the maintenance and construction of roads, streets, footpaths, tracks, drains and other civic infrastructure
- Streetlight: Responsible for ensuring proper lighting on the roads and intersections
- Health: Responsible for the daily cleanliness, sanitation and garbage disposal
- Revenue: Responsible for the allotment, maintenance, rent collection and management of properties, such as plots, markets, shops, kiosks and houses
- Law: Responsible for handling legal/judicial matters of the municipal corporation
- Foundation: Responsible for handling the departmental administrative activities, appointments, transfersand suspensions
- Transport: Responsible for allocating/arranging vehicles to the officers of the Municipal Corporation of Varanasiand maintaining vehicles engaged in waste management
- Horticulture: Responsible for managing 164 parks under the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi
- Computer Cell: Responsible for handling computer-related tasks, such as salary, pension, house tax billing and collectionand communication of information
- License: Responsible for issuing annual licenses for hand carts, rickshaws and trolleys within the city limits, annual licenses for inflammable category shops/establishments and licenses for wedding processions and liquor shops
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: E-services
- Property/Water/Sewage Tax
- Self-Assessment
- Mutation Application
- Assessment Objection
- GIS Demand Notice Objection
- Property Tax Calculation Method
- View Demand Notice
- Online Trade License
- View Property Tax Bill
- Self-Assessment Form
Nagar Nigam of Varanasi House Tax: How to pay property tax?
- Visit the official website of Varanasi Nagar Nigam at https://nnvns.org.in/.
- Select ‘Pay Property Tax’ under ‘E-services’.
- Fill out the required details.
- Click on ‘Search’. The tax dues will be displayed.
- Proceed to complete the online payment.
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: Projects
Smart City
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation is participating in the second round of the Smart City competition to take forward the proposals prepared in Smart City Round 1. The VNN has invited suggestions from the citizens. The corporation aims to develop Varanasi into a sustainable global cultural hub and plans to enrich cultural heritage, education and economic development. The civic body focuses on sustainable development.
Swachh Bharat Mission
Under the Urban Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM-U), launched on October 2, 2014, the aim is to
promote healthy sanitation practices and eliminate open defecation. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation is undertaking tasks, such as constructing restrooms, ensuring cleanliness near the ghats, collecting door-to-door garbage and creating awareness.
Namami Gange
The cleanliness around the ghats in Varanasi and River Ganga is the key focus of this initiative. Under the Namami Gange programme, the civic body plans to keep the bathing ghats in Varanasi in good condition and undertake related tasks.
Convention Centre
The Varanasi International Co-operation and Convention Centre (IBC), named Rudraksha, is the place for organising events and cultural programmes to promote social and cultural interactions. It is equipped with various facilities and comprises a main hall with a seating capacity of 1200, a high tower, gallery meeting rooms and parking facilities.
Hriday Yojna
The project preserves and maintains the heritage city, especially its old buildings and temples, and facilitates inclusive heritage-linked urban development. It focuses on using technologies for historic building retrofitting, making public spaces accessible, developing cultural spaces and delivering basic services.
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM)
The JnNURM is an urban programme aimed at encouraging reforms and fast-tracking the planned development of identified cities. It focuses on making the cities self-sustaining and economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive.
Institutional Development Program (IDP)
This initiative focuses on enhancing the efficiency of the civic body to improve the services. The key components of the program are:
- Institutional strengthening and capacity building
- Organisation review and HR management
- Training and skills development
- GIS and MIS development for water and sanitation assets
- Tariff restructuring and financial management
GIS/MIS Project under IDP
The key objective of this project is to develop and implement a geographical information system to improve the efficiency of water and wastewater asset management in the city. It aims to set up an efficient management information system integrated with the GIS for planning, implementing and managing the development and maintenance activities and improving the quality of service delivery to the citizens.
Varanasi Nagar Nigam: Contact details
Address: 82JF+7X9, Kazzakpura, Ganga Nagar Colony, Aalampura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Phone: 09580817520/ 0542-2221709
Email: nagarnigamvns@gmail.com
Mayor: Ashok Kumar Tiwari
Municipal Commissioner: Akshat Verma, IAS.
Housing.com News Viewpoint
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation plays a crucial role in the planning and development of Varanasi, which aims to transform it into a smart and sustainable city. The official portal of VNN ensures access to citizen-centric services, eliminating the need to visit the local authority’s office. Some of the important services include payment of Varanasi Nagar Nigam house tax, self-assessment and online trade license.
FAQs
Who is the current Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi?
Akshat Verma, IAS, is the present Municipal Commissioner.
What is the old name of Varanasi city?
Varanasi was earlier known as Kashi.
What is the nickname of Varanasi?
Varanasi is known as the City of Lights.
How to view property tax bills in Varanasi?
Visit the official portal of Varanasi Nagar Nigam. Click on ‘View Property Tax Bill’ under ‘E-services’. Enter the house number and click on ‘Search’.
What are the key projects undertaken by the Varanasi Nagar Nigam?
Some of the key projects undertaken by the Varanasi Nagar Nigam include Smart City, JnNURM, IDP, Swachh Bharat Mission and Namami Gange.
How many wards are there in Varanasi Municipal Corporation?
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has 90 wards in total.
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