Close X
Sunday, March 2, 2025
ADVT 
India

A Krishna Heritage Circuit To Come Up Around Mathura-Vrindavan

IANS, 16 Jun, 2015 11:25 AM
    It's a land steeped in Indian folklore, a land where Lord Krishna and his 'gopis' (consorts) are believed to have once romped in gay abandon. Now, the tourism ministry is set to spend over Rs.120 crore ($20 million) on the infrastructural development of the Mathura-Vrindavan pilgrimage circuit, a move that will transform the profile of a land visited by millions round the year.
     
    The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a Braj Heritage Planning Board to suggest ideas and monitor implementation of projects in the Braj area. The union government has already declared Mathura a heritage city.
     
    Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma at a function held last week told mediapersons that a new international airport would be sited along the Yamuna Expressway that links Mathura to Agra on one end and to Greater Noida on the national capital's outskirts on the other.
     
    Stating that a new circuit centred around the cult of Lord Krishna, part of the Hindu Trinity and one of its most beloved personal gods, is being developed from Akshardham in Delhi to Mathura, the minister said Rs. 120 crore would be spent on developing the "Braj Chaurasi Kos" that includes Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon, Kokila Van, Sher Garh and Mahavan areas.
     
    Mathura's Member of Parliament and Bharatiya Janata Party leder Hema Malini wants the airport to come up at Mahavan in Mathura district on the Expressway. Both the Uttar Pradesh and central governments appear keen to speed up development of the Braj area which draws tourists and Krishna devotees from across the world.
     
    "With so much money pouring in, the profile of the Sri Krishna land is set to change in the coming years," Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society president Surednra Sharma told IANS.
     
    The region, however, has been facing a tough time in the wake of widespread encroachments and traffic snarls for a long time, giving commuters a difficult time while visiting this place.
     
    The authorities have, however, started initiating strong steps now against encroachments.
     
    A major anti-encroachment drive to clear roads leading to Goverdhan and the district's Sonkh town from the national highway, ahead of the month-long festival season, has been launched with discernible results.
     
    "We had written so many times to the district administration but there was no result. Now now it seems the process has begun against encroachment," Braj Bachao Samiti member Rhais Qureshi told IANS.
     
    "Holi Gate, Deeg Gate and Bharatpur Gate areas continue to remain heavily encroached upon. The administration is worried because the annual Mudiya Poonau fair will draw over eight million pilgrims and thousands of vehicles," according to local activists.
     
    "The Mandi crossing was the biggest bottleneck for thousands of daily commuters. The administrative machinery had been reluctant to clear the encroachments due to political pressure," the activists alleged.
     
    In one instance, the "anti-encroachment drive was abruptly halted for some time on the Goverdhan crossing three days ago due to a well-connected roadside hotel owner," a source said.
     
    Denying any such incidents, city magistrate Vinay Kumar told IANS: "We are not afraid of anyone. We demolished the walls and the person who opposed was told in no unclear terms that no one would be spared."
     
    "The campaign will continue and we will remove all bottlenecks," he added.
     
    The entire city is dwarfed by encroachments. Thousands of pilgrims who visit Braj Mandal daily have to face traffic snarls for hours.
     
    According to Vijay Kant Katara, of Braj Bachao Samiti, there is not a single crossing in the city without encroachments. "You cannot even move on foot. Interestingly, traffic policemen are never available to manage the movement of vehicles," Katara told IANS.
     
    The situation in Vrindavan is worse, as motorists from Delhi, Noida and Agra headed for Mathura or Vrindavan these days are facing all kinds of problems. Luxury buses are stranded for hours or are made to hold up by corrupt policemen.
     
    District authorities keep experimenting with traffic plans, though the problem remains, said Mathura residents Ashok Agarwal and Pavan Kumar.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Modi's Latest Style: Suit With His Own Name Stripes

    Modi's Latest Style: Suit With His Own Name Stripes
    A close look at Narendra Modi's bandhgala suit that he wore for a joint appearance with US President Barack Obama here, showed it was a customised marvel -- with the prime minister's full name 'Narendra Damodardas Modi' written in pinstripes.

    Modi's Latest Style: Suit With His Own Name Stripes

    'Common Man' Creator RK Laxman Is No More

    'Common Man' Creator RK Laxman Is No More
    A story in the media goes that one day a few decades ago, The Times Of India (ToI) cartoonist and creator of The Common Man, R.K. Laxman, retired. The following day, the legend's cartoon was not to be found as readers rubbed their disbelieving eyes over their morning cuppa.

    'Common Man' Creator RK Laxman Is No More

    Modi, Barack Chat Like Old Friends As India Displays Military, Cultural Power At 66th Republic Day

    Modi, Barack Chat Like Old Friends As India Displays Military, Cultural Power At 66th Republic Day
    Military precision blended seamlessly with cultural diversity at India's 66th Republic Day parade Monday where US President Barack Obama was the chief guest.

    Modi, Barack Chat Like Old Friends As India Displays Military, Cultural Power At 66th Republic Day

    Obama Attends President's Banquet, Praises Modi's Work Ethic

    Obama Attends President's Banquet, Praises Modi's Work Ethic
    US President Barack Obama Sunday praised Narendra Modi for his "legendary work ethic", and described him as tough and stylish. He praised the Indian prime minister's sartorial elegance and said he was also thinking of wearing a "Modi kurta".

    Obama Attends President's Banquet, Praises Modi's Work Ethic

    Talks On Bilateral Investment Treaty To Resume, Say Modi, Obama

    Talks On Bilateral Investment Treaty To Resume, Say Modi, Obama
    India and US will resume dialogue on a bilateral investment treaty as the economic growth in both countries is becoming stronger and their economic partnership had strengthening, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama Sunday.

    Talks On Bilateral Investment Treaty To Resume, Say Modi, Obama

    Gujarati Kadhi, Bhuna Gosht Boti For Obama Working Lunch

    Gujarati Kadhi, Bhuna Gosht Boti For Obama Working Lunch
    US President Barack Obama may have been spoilt for choice at a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House here Sunday as he was served an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine

    Gujarati Kadhi, Bhuna Gosht Boti For Obama Working Lunch