PLANNING AND DESIGN OF A PEDESTRIAN-FOCUSED NON MOTORIZED ZONE IN NAGWA-ASSI CORRIDOR VARANASI, INDIA

Abstract

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities, faces growing conflict between its cultural heritage and increasing motorized traffic. The Nagwa Assi corridor, a key access route to Assi Ghat, experiences severe congestion due to narrow road widths, illegal parking, informal vending, and mixed traffic conditions. Despite pedestrians and cyclists forming a major share of movement, walking spaces are highly inadequate during peak hours. This thesis proposes a pedestrian-oriented and Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) framework for the corridor. The study is based on traffic volume surveys, pedestrian conflict mapping, activity mapping, geometric street analysis, and case studies of Chandni Chowk, Heritage Street Amritsar, and Slovenska Street Ljubljana. Findings reveal that traffic volume on Nagwa Road exceeds its design capacity during peak periods, resulting in Level of Service (LOS) F and high pedestrian-vehicle conflict zones near the BHU Gate junction and Assi Ghat entrance. To address these issues, the study suggests three major interventions: street rationalization with wider footpaths and vending zones, development of off-street parking with last-mile NMT connectivity, and a time-restricted pedestrian-only zone near Assi Ghat. The proposals aim to improve walkability, reduce pollution, enhance public space quality, and preserve the cultural identity of the area while supporting local livelihoods. The study concludes that pedestrianization of the Nagwa–Assi corridor is both feasible and necessary, and provides a replicable framework for heritage precincts in Indian cities.