Once unsafe and forgotten, Central Jail Road has now been reborn as Sangeet Maarg—a vibrant cultural corridor where music drifts through the air, trees line the pathways, and people gather in safety and joy. This transformation, led by IAS officer Pulkit Garg and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), has turned a neglected stretch into one of the city’s most inspiring urban makeovers.
From Darkness to Harmony
For years, Central Jail Road was little more than a functional passage. Poor lighting made it unsafe at night, unregulated vendors created chaos, and an open drain added to the neglect. Women, children, and elderly residents often avoided it.
“When I attended a training under the Smart City Mission in Bengaluru, I came across the idea of Healthy Streets—roads designed for people, not just vehicles. I saw Central Jail Road as the perfect pilot,” says IAS officer Pulkit Garg.
Giving the Road a Cultural Soul
The makeover was not just about infrastructure—it was about identity. The road was renamed Sangeet Maarg, paying tribute to Varanasi’s legendary Banaras Gharana.
Plaques now narrate stories of classical maestros, while soft music plays through speakers, immersing passersby in the city’s heritage. “We wanted the road to have a soul—so that it isn’t just a passage, but a celebration of what Varanasi stands for,” Garg explains.
Designed for People and Nature
Sangeet Maarg is now a place to pause, not just pass through:
◆Shaded benches for the elderly
◆Tactile pathways for the visually impaired
◆Play zones for children
◆Organised vending and parking zones
Over 1,300 sq. metres of paved area was converted into green patches, with kadam, amaltas, and champa trees. Rainwater harvesting, underground cabling, and pink meenakari folk art on walls add to the charm. Evenings glow with soft arm lights, while selfie points and interactive musical installations invite people to engage with the space.
Ex-army personnel ensure order, cleanliness, and safety—making the street welcoming even late into the night.
Celebrated by Citizens and Leaders
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the project and urged officials to replicate it across Varanasi. Locals say evenings are now more vibrant and secure, with vendors calling it “the cleanest and best road in the area.”
An elderly resident recalled, “Earlier, I would never walk here after dark. Today, I feel safe and even sit to enjoy the music.”
A Model for the Future
Encouraged by the success, Garg is spearheading theme-based roads across Varanasi:
◆A road themed on Vedic education
◆Another inspired by legendary singer Girija Devi
◆Corridors highlighting Banaras GI products
As Garg sums it up: “This was once just a road where people passed without noticing anything. Now it brings smiles, music, and safety at every step.”
Sangeet Maarg is no longer just a road—it’s a living, breathing reminder that when cities blend heritage with thoughtful design, streets can truly sing.
