- Member of Parliament from Mathura Smt. Hema Malini met Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari
- She submitted a proposal for the construction of seven flyovers and underpasses along National Highway-19 (Delhi–Agra stretch)
2025.08.20 (Vrindavan Today News): The long-awaited development of the Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama, a pilgrimage route of immense religious, cultural, and historical significance, is set to move forward. Member of Parliament Smt. Hema Malini, together with Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) Vice Chairman Shri Shailjakant Mishra, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday to push the project into its implementation phase.
Hema Malini underscored the spiritual and heritage value of the 84-kos Parikrama, which spans parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, noting its deep association with the Braj region and its sacred traditions. “The Braj Parikrama is not only a religious journey but also a cultural heritage route. It must be developed with a vision that reflects both its historic and international significance,” she said.
Some years ago, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had commissioned Bhicon Engineering Pvt. Ltd. to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the initiative. However, the project had stalled due to administrative delays. With the rising global prominence of Braj and the increasing flow of pilgrims from across India and abroad, Hema Malini emphasized that its execution has become a necessity.
Responding positively, Union Minister Gadkari assured that the Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama would first be declared a National Highway at the Prime Minister’s Office level, with the formalities already underway. He further pledged speedy approval of the project’s pending clearances, enabling work to commence without further delay.
In addition to the Parikrama project, the Mathura MP also raised pressing infrastructure needs for her constituency. She submitted a proposal for the construction of seven flyovers and underpasses along National Highway-19 (Delhi–Agra stretch), a demand that Gadkari immediately approved. These include the widening of road overbridges (ROBs) and key underpass construction—initiatives that are expected to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the pilgrimage hub.
The demand for better road infrastructure has also been championed locally by social activist Chandraprakash Brajvasi of Jait, whose persistent advocacy—including warnings of protest—was presented before the Union Minister.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Transport Secretary Umashankar Singh, IAS officer Deepak Shinde, and representatives of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, along with MP’s representative Janardan Sharma.
The move marks a significant step in elevating Braj’s status as a global spiritual destination. Once completed, the Braj 84-kos Parikrama will not only enhance pilgrimage facilities but also bolster tourism, heritage preservation, and economic opportunities across the region.
