Two Houses Collapse Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

On Tuesday morning, two dilapidated houses collapsed near the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Khoya Gali Chowk, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in one death and the rescue of eight others. Among those initially trapped under the debris were nine individuals, including a female police constable. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team successfully rescued the constable and the other trapped individuals, according to news agency ANI.

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Rescue Operation Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple Concludes

Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal reported, “The rescue operation is nearing completion. Nine family members who were trapped have all been removed and transported to a hospital. A female constable, who was on duty, sustained injuries and has been taken to the BHU Trauma Centre, where she is now out of danger. Unfortunately, a woman admitted to Kabir Chaura Hospital has been pronounced dead.”

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NDRF Rescue Operations Conclude; Focus Shifts to Restoration

NDRF DIG MK Sharma informed the media that the rescue operations lasted approximately four hours. “We will perform a final search before concluding the operation,” he stated. Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma added that once the rescue operations are complete, the next priority will be to clear the debris and restore water and electricity supplies to the affected houses.

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Age of Collapsed Houses and Construction Permits Clarified

Officials reported that the collapsed houses were approximately 70 years old, according to news agency PTI. Kaushal Raj Sharma further clarified that no No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or permissions from the Kashi Vishwanath temple are required for construction or restoration work outside the temple premises. “The temple’s construction began five years ago and was completed two and a half years ago. Permission from the temple administration is not necessary for building or renovating houses outside the temple grounds,” he stated.

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