Allahabad High Court Orders Status Quo on Dalmandi Road Widening Project in Varanasi Amid Demolition Threats
By Rajesh Pandey
In a significant development related to the much-debated road widening project in the Dalmandi area of Varanasi, the Allahabad High Court has issued an interim order directing all parties involved to maintain the status quo regarding the demolition of residential and commercial structures falling within the proposed widening zone.
This direction comes in response to a growing wave of concern and legal action initiated by residents who fear imminent displacement.
The directive was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Anish Kumar Gupta during a hearing on May 9, 2025. The matter has been scheduled for further consideration on May 20, when it will be heard along with other similar petitions challenging the proposed demolition drive under the road expansion plan.
The petitioners in this case, led by Shahnawaz Khan along with several other residents and shopkeepers of the Dalmandi area, have alleged that the local administration is preparing to demolish their homes and businesses without initiating any formal process of land acquisition or providing compensation.
Their legal counsel argued that these actions violate established legal procedures and threaten their fundamental right to shelter and livelihood.
According to the arguments presented before the court, the state authorities have been issuing verbal threats of demolition, even though no legal acquisition process has been initiated for the properties affected by the proposed road widening.
The petitioners contend that their properties—most of which are built on inhabited and privately-owned land—have neither been notified for acquisition nor included in any officially sanctioned government project with clear compensation mechanisms.
Recognizing the seriousness of the petitioners’ claims and the possibility of irreversible harm in the absence of legal due process, the High Court observed in its order:
“In the meantime, having regard to the submission that there is imminent threat of construction being demolished without the same having been acquired, we direct the parties to maintain status quo till the next date of hearing.”
This interim relief has brought temporary respite to numerous families and shopkeepers in the area. Reports suggest that close to 189 houses could potentially be affected by the ambitious Dalmandi Road Widening Project, which aims to expand the width of the road to 17 meters (approximately 56 feet) to improve access from New Road to the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important religious sites in the country.
Several petitioners have obtained similar status quo orders in parallel cases, underscoring the widespread concern among residents over the project’s execution.
Many fear that the expansion, if carried out without safeguards and compensation, could lead to the displacement of an entire commercial hub, dismantling generations-old businesses and homes that are a vital part of Varanasi’s socio-economic fabric.
The petitioners’ legal team also pointed out during the proceedings that the Varanasi district administration is in the process of preparing a report that includes compensation assessments for the properties likely to be affected.
They emphasized that as the Dalmandi road widening project involves an estimated expenditure of over ₹100 crore, it cannot proceed without formal approval from the state cabinet. The District Magistrate (DM)’s report, once finalized, is expected to be submitted to the state government for further action.
Despite this, residents claim that bulldozers are being prepared and informal warnings have already been issued to vacate, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.
Half a dozen property owners and shopkeepers from Dalmandi have already approached the High Court, asserting that the current plan would wipe out the entire marketplace if carried out in its present form.
They argue that a 17-meter-wide road would consume most of the existing space, leaving little to no room for existing establishments to survive.
The Dalmandi area, known for its bustling markets and dense population, is not just a commercial center but also a historical and cultural landmark in the city of Varanasi.
The project, though aimed at easing pilgrim movement to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has now come under scrutiny for allegedly bypassing essential legal and humanitarian considerations.
As the matter awaits further deliberation in court, the affected residents of Dalmandi continue to hold their breath, hoping for a resolution that respects both development goals and the rights of the local populace.
The case has now become a flashpoint in the broader debate over urban development, heritage preservation, and the legal rights of citizens in one of India’s oldest cities.
