Panel to facilitate partnership between Varanasi, Kyoto

NEW DELHI: Urban Development Ministry has set up a 11-member Steering Committee to facilitate cooperation between the cities of Varanasi and Kyoto in Japan in heritage conservation and city modernisation and other sectors.

Headed by Urban Development Secretary, the committee comprising Director General, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary of UP, Joint Secretary-level officers of the Union Ministries of Culture, Human Resource Development, Finance, External Affairs and Urban Development besides Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi and Chairman/Commissioner, Varanasi Development Authority will operationalise the 'Partner City Affiliation Agreement' between the cities.

The Partner City Affiliation Agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan earlier this year, refers to culture, art, academics, heritage conservation and city modernisation as potential areas of cooperation, a senior Urban Development Ministry official said.

The Steering Committee will facilitate actions pertaining to modernisation of Varanasi, including upgradation of water management and sewage facilities, waste management and urban transportation drawing from Japan's expertise and technologies.

Application of Japanese practices, techniques and management for conservation of rich heritage of Varanasi and exchanges between Kyoto University and Banaras Hindu University, as well as religious organisations are also part of the agreement.

Mayor of Kyoto Daisaku Kadokawa is scheduled to visit India during the end of this month for further talks with all the concerned in this regard.