2.

1 Introduction

The state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the prominent states in the North eastern region of India with
Lucknow as its capital, falling under „A‟ category1, with Varanasi classified as „B‟ category city. Being
the district head quarters, Varanasi Municipal Corporation was established on 24 January 1959 under
Municipal Corporation Act of 1959 as a Nagar Mahapalika and was converted into Nagar Nigam under
the U.P. Government Act-2 with a total of 90 wards in the year 1994. Mr. Kaushalendra Singh is the
current Mayor, leading a band of 90 councilors. The city administration is headed by an IAS officer as
Commissioner of Municipal administration of the city.

2.2 Physical Characteristics of the City

2.2.1 Location

Varanasi is a Class I town, municipality and administrative headquarters of Varanasi District, falls under
Varanasi division of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi town lies between the 25015‟ to 25022‟ North latitude and
82057‟ to 83001‟ East longitude. The River Ganga only here flows south to north having the world
famous ghats on the left bank of the river. The highest flood level of river Ganga was 73.90m (1978) and
the lowest river water level is approximately 58m. It is at an elevation of 80.71 metres above mean sea
level.

2.2.2 Geography and Topography

Varanasi is situated in the fertile alluvial Gangetic plains and is under laid with sediments deposited in
successive stages. Layers of clay, fine sand, clay mixed with kankar and stone bazari is met with during
drilling operations. With vast expanse of gently undulating plain, most of the area beyond the ridge
slopes towards the river Assi in the South and towards Varuna River in the North.

2.2.3 Climate

The climate of the town is of tropical nature with temperature varying from 5°C in winter to 45°C in
summer. The annual rainfall varies from 680mm to 1500mm with large proportion of its occurring
during the months of July to September.

1
2.2.4 Connectivity and Linkages

Varanasi is well connected by road, rail and air with other parts of the country. The distance from the
major cities are Delhi-750 km, Lucknow-286 km and 125 km from Allahabad.

Road

There are four national highways i.e. NH-2, NH-7, NH-56 and NH-29 and four state highways i.e. SH 87,
SH-73, SH-74 and SH-98 passing through the heart of the city. NH-7 originates at Hyderabad gate in
Varanasi. The linkages provided by the National highways are: i. NH 2 - G.T. Road from Mughal Sarai to
Allahabad; ii. NH 7 – Hyderabad gate in Varanasi to Jabalpur, Hyderabad, Madurai, etc iii. NH 29 -

2
Varanasi to Gorakhpur, Kushinagar; and iv. NH 56 - Varanasi to Jaunpur Lucknow, A bypass is
constructed along the Eastern edge of the city to relieve the burden off NH-2. Another ring road is under
consideration along the Western edge of the city to divert the traffic and provide better connectivity to
the newer developments coming up in the town.