A Japanese delegation led by Kyoto Deputy Mayor Kenichi Ogasawara visited Varanasi Thursday and met district officials, the city mayor and three legislators.
Officials said the Ogasawara visited many places including Sarnath where he spent considerable time at the Dhamma Stupa.
The visit is part of the initiatives being taken under the Sister City Partnership Agreement signed between Kyoto and Varanasi during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan a few months ago.
The visit is largely focussed on getting to know the city and understand the requirements to make it a smart city, officials told IANS.
The visiting Japanese official sought information on the sewage system in the city, the traffic plan, Ganga river and on various heritage sites that dot the city.
Varanasi Mayor Ram Gopal Mohale said a meeting was held at the municipal corporation office where various issues regarding the implementation of the Sister City Partnership Agreement between Kyoto and Varanasi were discussed.
He added that under the agreement, Kyoto will cooperate in both conservation and modernisation of the city in the field of art, culture, academics, and special care will be taken to preserve the ancient heritage of the city while modernizing its infrastructure.
Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
-- Indo-Asian News Service
md/vm
