The redevelopment of Kashi Railway Station has led to a dispute between the railway administration and the Anjuman Intizamia Committee. Railway authorities issued a notice on June 16, 2026, asking the Ganj Shahida Mosque to be vacated by June 20, 2026. The railway claims the land is its property and part of a 350 crore rupee modernization project.
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What is the reason for the dispute?
The Railway administration wants to remove encroachments to develop Kashi Railway Station into a model station with airport-like facilities by 2027. However, the mosque committee has called the notice fake and misleading. They claim the mosque was built in 1034 AD, long before the railways arrived in 1887. The committee also mentioned that the notice lacks a proper date and the signature of a competent officer.
What are the key project details and recent actions?
The redevelopment involves a massive budget and a strict timeline for completion. Key details of the project and recent events are listed below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Cost | Approximately 350 Crore Rupees |
| Target Completion | By 2027 |
| Mega Block Period | June 6 to September 13 |
| Previous Action | Ajgaib Shahid Mosque and a Mazar removed on June 3, 2026 |
| Notice Deadline | June 20, 2026 |
What is the current status of the situation?
The Anjuman Intizamia Masajid Committee has stated they will move the High Court to fight this legally. Secretary Mohammad Yasin claimed that the railway had previously acknowledged the mosque’s existence in a different court case. Meanwhile, Kashi Railway Station Superintendent Arpit Gupta confirmed that the notice is part of a larger drive to clear railway land for the redevelopment project. Local families have expressed fear regarding potential demolition drives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the goal of the Kashi Railway Station redevelopment?
The project aims to transform the station into a model station with airport-like facilities by 2027 with an investment of about 350 crore rupees.
Why is the mosque committee opposing the railway notice?
The committee claims the mosque is nearly 1000 years old and that the notice is fake as it lacks official signatures and a proper date.