On 29 March 2026 authorities in Uttar Pradesh resumed demolition operations in the Dalmandi area of Varanasi as part of a road widening project. The Public Works Department (PWD) and the Police Department were present during the operations and security personnel were deployed from multiple police stations to oversee the activity. The area was monitored by aerial drones to maintain situational awareness and to assist in coordinating ground teams.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dashashwamedh, Varanasi, Atul Anjan Tripathi said that demolition action had been initiated again and that the PWD had identified 30 buildings for action on that day. He indicated that adequate security measures had been put in place and that both paramilitary and civil forces from several police stations were deployed to ensure order. He further stated that the entire area was under surveillance and that action was planned against the 30 specifically identified structures.

The PWD Executive Engineer KK Singh explained that the demolition drive had been suspended during the festival season following Ramadan to reduce public inconvenience and that proceedings had resumed with targeted operations. Singh clarified that demolition was being carried out only on buildings where structural cracking had been established following prior inspections and approvals. He reported that, up to that point, 25 houses had been completely demolished and that the current activities comprised only formal PWD proceedings.

Authorities emphasised that the exercise forms part of the broader road widening scheme and that operations were being conducted with steps intended to limit disruption to surrounding neighbourhoods. Coordination between engineering teams, police units and aerial surveillance was described as central to maintaining safety and order during the work. Local residents were to be kept informed through official channels and the PWD indicated that further actions would follow established legal and administrative protocols.