Varanasi Traffic Advisory: Road Closures, Diversions Announced for Jamaica PM Holness' Visit

Varanasi: Ahead of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness' visit to Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Wednesday (October 2), a traffic advisory has been issued to ensure smooth movement in the city. Several routes will be closed, and diversions have been put in place due to his arrival.

Holness will be welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna at Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. After landing at Babatpur Airport, Holness will be heading to Sarnath, where he will explore the archaeological heritage and pay respects at the site associated with Lord Buddha. Afterward, he will proceed to Hotel Taj for a brief rest. In the evening around 4 pm, Holness will participate in the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, arriving via a cruise from Namo Ghat.

Security measures have been heightened for his visit, with ACP Dashashwamedh, Pragya Pathak, overseeing arrangements at the ghat. This marks Holness’ first visit to India and the first-ever bilateral visit by a Jamaican Prime Minister to the country.

The following routes will be closed to traffic between 10 AM and 12 PM:

• Sagunahna Tiraaha to Babatpur Airport and towards the city
• Harhua Flyover
• Bhelkha Mor Tiraaha to Harhua
• Sindhora Underpass to Singhpur Underpass
• Singhpur Underpass to Sarnath Museum Tiraaha
• Rangoli Tiraaha to Singhpur Underpass
• Rangoli Tiraaha to Sarnath Chowraha
• Old RTO Tiraaha to Haveliya Tiraaha
• Ashapur Chowraha to Haveliya Tiraaha

Diversions will be in effect on these routes:

• Gilat Bazaar Tiraaha to Central Jail Road
• Bhojubir Tiraaha to Ardhali Bazaar
• Golghar Kachahri to Ambedkar Chowraha
• JP Mehta Tiraaha to Central Jail Road
• Ambedkar Chowraha to Central Jail Road
• Aashiyana Tiraaha to JHV Mall Tiraaha
• Mint House Tiraaha to India Hotel Chowraha
• Nadesar Tiraaha to Andharapul Chowraha
• Haveliya Tiraaha to Aashapur Chowraha
• Harhua Chowraha to TFC (from 3 PM to 6 PM)
• Natiniya Dai Temple Tiraaha to Sabzi Mandi Chowraha
• Harhua Chowraha to Sindhora Underpass

He will return to Babatpur Airport around 8 PM to depart for Delhi, where a farewell ceremony will be held.

Holness, who is on his first official visit to India, previously held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed strengthening the partnership between India and Jamaica, focusing on areas like economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and capacity building through programs such as India's Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Holness expressed interest in replicating India's Digital Public Infrastructure, including UPI, and praised India's high economic growth trajectory.

Holness was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Murmu emphasised the deep cultural and historical ties between the two nations, particularly through shared values such as democracy and a mutual love for cricket. She also highlighted the importance of the Indian diaspora in Jamaica in fostering closer relations. The President expressed confidence that this visit would further strengthen bilateral ties, especially in trade and economic cooperation.

Holness also took part in the inauguration of the newly renamed Jamaica Marg in New Delhi alongside Jamaican cricketer Chris Gayle, celebrating the friendship between India and Jamaica. The renaming reflects the enduring partnership between the two countries, especially in areas such as Culture, Cricket, Commonwealth, and CARICOM.

Vice President Dhankhar echoed these sentiments, discussing Jamaica’s interest in collaborating with India in education, technology, and innovation, and expressed a shared desire to continue strengthening relations between the two nations.