In a step aimed at boosting Buddhist and religious tourism, a direct AC bus service between Varanasi and Kathmandu was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Varanasi on Wednesday. Stating that the Samajwadi Party Government favoured friendly ties with neighbours, the Chief Minister noted that apart from aiding in the economic and social development of the people of the two countries, the bus service would be instrumental in tourism promotion.
The Varanasi to Kathmandu service is called the “Bharat-Nepal Maitri Bus Seva” (India-Nepal Friendship Bus Service). Ten buses of the rural bus service dubbed as Lohia Gramin Bus Seva were also flagged off by the Chief Minister.
Addressing the function at the Police Lines in Varanasi, Mr. Yadav said the city will soon have a Metro rail. He said a detailed project report (DPR) of the project would be prepared in the next six months and added that four cities will have the Metro rail.
Referring to the availability of power in Varanasi, the Chief Minister said uninterrupted electricity was being supplied to the ghats along the Ganga in the city. A similar arrangement of power supply will be made in Sarnath, he said.
In addition to flagging off the bus service, the Chief Minister distributed laptops to 100 Intermediate pass students, Samajwadi Pension Scheme certificates to 30 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes and cycles to 100 labourers. The Chief Minister mentioned the welfare and development measures launched by the Samajwadi Party Government and said those who had criticised the laptop distribution scheme are now talking about wi fi connectivity. Only the laptops and mobile phones can ensure wi fi connectivity, he added. He referred to the Samajwadi Pension Scheme, stating that it was the biggest programme of its kind in the country managed by the State’s own resources.
Mr. Yadav reiterated that by the year 2016,16 hours power would be supplied in the rural areas and 22 hours in the cities.
The Varanasi to Kathmandu AC bus will depart Varanasi at 10.30 PM and reach Kathmandu at 10.30 AM the next day via Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Sonauli ( Maharajganj district ). The fare from Varanasi to Kathmandu is Rs. 1,333; from Azamgarh to Kathmandu Rs. 1,117; Gorakhpur to Kathmandu Rs. 688 and Sonauli to Kathmandu, Rs. 645.
