The Akhilesh Yadav government is preparing an ambitious blueprint for the development of Mathura-Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, as a major tourist destination.
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked various departments, including tourism, PWD, power, housing and forest, to develop the blueprint and present it to him at the earliest. The housing department ahs been appointed as the nodal authority for the implementation of the blueprint.
According to official sources, a sum of `600 crores has been earmarked for upgradation and maintenance of roads in the twin holy cities and also roads linking the Govardhan Parbat, Kosi, Barsana, Nandgaon and Vrindavan-Chattikara-Radhakund.
“The chief minister wants Mathura Vrindavan to be developed at par with other religious destinations like Vaishno Devi and Tirupati temple. This will create a major tourist hub within the state and attract worshippers of Lord Krishna from across the world. Ayodhya and Varanasi do not offer much scope for expansion since the major temples in these cities are located inside narrow lanes but Vrindavan poses no such problem and there is ample scope for development,” said a senior official.
The blueprint for Mathura-Vrindavan will include widening of roads, proper electrification, tree plantations, development of low cost hotels, public toilets, clean drinking water facilities, renovation of ghats, preservation of heritage buildings, efficient transport system and maintenance of parks.
Interestingly, to ensure that there is no politics in the development of Mathura Vrindavan, the chief minister has asked officials to convene a meeting of all local MPs and MLAs as soon as the development plan is finalized.
‘Mr Akhilesh Yadav is keen to invite suggestions from all local MPs and MLAs, irrespective of their political affiliations, so that development work does not attract criticism later on. This is one project that is linked to the sentiments of millions of Hindus and the chief minister does not want any irritants in it,” the official added.
The blueprint for development of the holy cities is expected to be finalized by the end of May and work is expected to commence after monsoon.
The Mayawati government, it may be recalled, had also drawn up a plan for development of Mathura-Vrindavan but the same could never be implemented.