VARANASI, Dec. 21 -- On the instructions of mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal, a Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) team on Saturday removed encroachment at the Manikarnika ghat and its vicinity. During the drive, not only were the haphazardly placed piles of firewood removed, but strict rules were implemented for the shopkeepers, said VNN public relations officer Sandeep Srivastava. The team, led by assistant municipal commissioner Anil Yadav, cleared the firewood from the ghat steps. The VNN administration has clarified that no shopkeeper will be allowed to stock firewood for more than three days at the ghat. Also, it will now be mandatory for every shop to display a board clearly showing the shopkeeper's name, mobile number and the rates of the firewood. The objective is to protect the people, who bring bodies for cremations at Manikarnika Ghat, from any kind of fraud. Along with freeing the ghat from encroachment, the debris near the Ramlila committee was cleared with the cooperation of police administration to facilitate devotees. "The municipal corporation aims to develop this empty space into a parking lot for two-wheelers, which will provide relief from traffic congestion for those visiting the ghat," Srivastava said. Under the "Clean Kashi, Beautiful Kashi" campaign, the municipal corporation is now going to close the traditional garbage dumps in the city in a phased manner. Modern portable compactor transfer systems (PCTS) will be installed in their place....