<p>The urban development ministry Wednesday set up an 11-member committee to modernise the city of Varanasi on the lines of the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The steering committee will operationalise the 'Partner City Affiliation Agreement' between the cities of Varanasi and Kyoto, a ministry statement said.<br /><br />During his recent visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was impressed with Kyoto - a heritage city - and sought help from its civic agencies in developing his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.<br /><br />The agreement referred to culture, art, academics, heritage conservation and city modernisation as potential areas of cooperation.<br /><br />The committee will be headed by the ministry secretary.<br /><br />It will facilitate the action plan for modernisation of Varanasi, including upgradation of water management and sewage facilities, waste management, urban transportation and drawing upon the Japan's expertise and technologies.<br /><br />Application of Japanese practices, techniques and management for conservation of rich heritage of Varanasi will also be looked after by the panel.<br /><br />Exchanges between Kyoto University and Banaras Hindu University as well as religious organisations also figured in the to-do list of the committee.<br /></p>
<p>The urban development ministry Wednesday set up an 11-member committee to modernise the city of Varanasi on the lines of the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The steering committee will operationalise the 'Partner City Affiliation Agreement' between the cities of Varanasi and Kyoto, a ministry statement said.<br /><br />During his recent visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was impressed with Kyoto - a heritage city - and sought help from its civic agencies in developing his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.<br /><br />The agreement referred to culture, art, academics, heritage conservation and city modernisation as potential areas of cooperation.<br /><br />The committee will be headed by the ministry secretary.<br /><br />It will facilitate the action plan for modernisation of Varanasi, including upgradation of water management and sewage facilities, waste management, urban transportation and drawing upon the Japan's expertise and technologies.<br /><br />Application of Japanese practices, techniques and management for conservation of rich heritage of Varanasi will also be looked after by the panel.<br /><br />Exchanges between Kyoto University and Banaras Hindu University as well as religious organisations also figured in the to-do list of the committee.<br /></p>