2025.08.01 (Vrindavan Today News): Shashi Prakash Goyal, a 1989-batch IAS officer, has taken charge as the new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. He succeeds Manoj Kumar Singh, who retired on 31 July after serving for a year. Goyal has previously served as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and handled key portfolios including Civil Aviation, Estate, and Protocol.
While this prestigious elevation is a moment of great pride and recognition for his exemplary service, it also calls for a reflection on the visionary work he undertook during his earlier tenure as District Magistrate of Mathura from April 13, 1998, to December 23, 1999, a period marked by extraordinary foresight, particularly concerning the sacred town of Vrindavan.
Vrindavan, long venerated as a centre of Krishna-bhakti, has also struggled with the challenges of modern urban development. Recognising the urgent need to preserve its sanctity while accommodating the growing influx of pilgrims and residents, Mr. Goel initiated a groundbreaking model for sustainable urban planning. His efforts culminated in the establishment of the Vrindavan Vikas evam Sanrakshan Nidhi, a unique institutional mechanism aiming to bring together public administration and civil society under a single developmental vision.
At the heart of Mr. Goel’s plan was a structure that allowed for genuine public-private partnership (PPP). This fund was not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it was an inclusive initiative involving intellectuals, citizens, and key stakeholders from Vrindavan’s civil society.
The Commissioner of Agra Division served as the Chairperson of the Society. The Secretary of the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority held the role of Secretary of the trust. The District Magistrate (Mr. Goel himself during the founding years) was designated as the Vice-Chairperson. All the department heads were its members. Several Community and Religious leaders including Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami, Swami Sevak Sharan, Swami Maheshananda Saraswati, Shri Radhakrishna Pathak, Shri Radheshyam Beriwala, Michael Duffy were the members of this society
This tripartite leadership structure ensured that bureaucratic authority, local governance, and community participation could operate in tandem. The fund was envisioned to enable development work in Vrindavan under a 51% public and 49% private partnership, thereby balancing accountability with efficiency.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Mr. Goel’s vision was his holistic and anticipatory approach to infrastructure. He proposed that any excavation work in the town would proceed only after obtaining coordinated approval from all relevant departments—including the Electricity Board, Municipal Corporation, Telecommunication Authorities, and Jal Nigam (Water Works Department). The purpose was to avoid the overlapping, often redundant urban chaos that arises when agencies act in silos. He also worked to develop a common website mathura-vrindavan.com, where one could find about all the information about Braj. He empowered the NGO’s like Friends of Vrindavan (FoV) to operate clean Vrindavan initiative.
Such a unified model of civic coordination was decades ahead of its time, particularly in the context of Indian cities, where inter-departmental friction frequently derails infrastructure projects. His foresight spoke of smart governance long before “smart cities” became policy buzzwords.
Missed Opportunities and Administrative Apathy
Despite the detailed blueprint, institutional backing, and public support, Mr. Goel’s vision was tragically cut short. Just as the initial phases of implementation were about to begin, he was transferred from the district, bringing the project to an abrupt halt. Successive officers failed to build upon or even preserve the momentum he had generated. The Vrindavan Vikas evam Sanrakshan Nidhi, which had the potential to become a national model for sacred town management, faded into administrative oblivion.
A Legacy That Deserves Revival
Today, as Mr. Goel assumes the role of Chief Secretary, his elevation offers a moment of retrospection and perhaps even renewed hope. His tenure in Mathura was not just another administrative posting; it was a case study in visionary leadership, participatory governance, and cultural sensitivity. In reviving and expanding such a model, not only could Vrindavan witness the fruition of an abandoned dream, but it could also become a template for urban planning in other heritage towns across India and beyond.
In the global discourse on heritage conservation, the delicate balance between preservation and progress remains one of the most elusive challenges. Mr. Shashi Prakash Goel had envisioned that balance at a time when such conversations were still nascent. Today, more than ever, his legacy invites recognition, revival, and replication.
As we extend heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Goel on his appointment, let us also celebrate the clarity of thought and civic imagination he brought to Vrindavan, a sacred geography that still awaits the execution of the vision he once dared to dream.
