- UPBTVP Vice Chairman Shri Shailjakant Misra, District Magistrate Shri Shailendra Kumar Singh, and UPBTVP CEO Nagendra Pratap gave a presentation on corridor to the Chief Minister.
- The matter of the corridor is already pending before the High Court at Prayagraj. The project requires court’s approval before executing the plan.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath reviewed the proposal related to the Vrindavan Corridor project on Sunday at his 5 Kalidas Marg Residence in Lucknow.
In a significant development the officials from the UPBTVP and the District Magistrate of Mathura made a presentation on the proposed corridor, which underwent detailed deliberations. According to the presentation given before the Chief Minister, the project would cost INR 503 crores approximately. The cost doesn’t include the amount required to acquire the 5 acre land to develop the corridor.
Shri Yogi Adityanath, who is also the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad suggested some crucial recommendations on designing the project.
Shri Shailjakant Misra, Vice Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP), District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar Singh, and the UPBTVP CEO Nagendra Pratap showcased the presentation on the proposed corridor around the Bankelal Bihari Temple before the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
After reviewing the presentation, the Chief Minister provided several important suggestions to enhance the convenience of pilgrims and locals alike. Following this, it was decided that the proposal would be modified in accordance with the Chief Minister’s recommendations to ensure convenience for both visiting devotees and local residents.
The need for the corridor arose due to the challenges faced by the visitors to reach the temple and the traffic congestion caused due to the visitors. The proposed changes will mainly cater to external visitors and the development leaving the temple premises unaffected.
The proposed corridor will facilitate two other ancient temples namely Madan Mohan and Radha Ballabh.
Three-Storey Corridor Proposal Given the varying elevations of the land surrounding the Banke Bihari Temple, the proposed corridor project involves the construction of a three-storey plaza. This design takes advantage of the natural elevation differences, making it suitable for providing visitor amenities and waiting areas.
Developments outside the Corridor To improve the accessibility to the corridor, an additional 750 square meters of space is needed for approach road enhancements and 18,400 square meters for open public areas. Moreover, 2500 square meters are required for new approach roads, and 1,200 square meters are needed for improving the approach road from Vidhyapith Chauraha. Public transport connectivity and emergency access will also require additional land, making a total of 22,850 square meters needed for these purposes.
Proposed Lower Floor The lower floor will comprise an entrance plaza of 11,300 square meters. It will feature an open assembly area (5,113 sq. m.), shoe storage (265 sq. m.), commodities room (100 sq. m.), prasadam distribution (332 sq. m.), childcare facility (30 sq. m.), medical facilities (90 sq. m.), special guest rooms (80 sq. m.), solid waste management (70 sq. m.), electrical services (100 sq. m.), and a puja material store (800 sq. m.), along with a pilgrim waiting area of 3,500 square meters and a corridor of 800 square meters.
Proposed Upper Floor The upper floor, covering 10,600 square meters, will include an open assembly area (6,580 sq. m.), temple circumambulation path (900 sq. m.), shoe storage (210 sq. m.), commodities room (100 sq. m.), prasadam distribution (50 sq. m.), childcare facility (30 sq. m.), medical facilities (80 sq. m.), special guest rooms (250 sq. m.), electrical services (100 sq. m.), pilgrim waiting area (1,800 sq. m.), and a corridor for devotees (800 sq. m.).
First Floor Proposal The first floor of the corridor will encompass 2,380 square meters. It will include a lost and found office (30 sq. m.), prasadam distribution (30 sq. m.), childcare facility (30 sq. m.), medical facilities (90 sq. m.), police control room (50 sq. m.), administrative office (100 sq. m.), maintenance office (100 sq. m.), electrical services (100 sq. m.), pilgrim waiting area (1,150 sq. m.), and a devotee queue area (800 sq. m.).
Noteworthy Features of the Corridor
- Three access road options for pilgrim traffic management.
- Provision for emergency and fire-fighting vehicles to access the plaza’s east and west.
- A buffer and exit path, 9 meters wide, around the main temple.
- Structural audit of the existing structure within the corridor area before any intervention.
Key Challenges and Requirements
- The existing approach road faces congestion.
- Inadequate gathering areas for devotees.
- Inadequate amenities for the visitors.
- Improved facilities to keep the shoes required.
- Space is required for storing the commodity of the visitors.
- Facilities required for distributing prasad religious offerings.
- There exists no child care facility.
- Additional rooms required for miscellaneous purposes.
- There is no medical facility available for the visitors in case of health emergency. Therefore First Aid room, clinics or hospital is required to be built near the temple.
- Space to build Police control booth is required.
It should be noted that the matter of the corridor is pending before the High Court at Prayagraj. The project needs the approval of the Court before proceeding to execute it. The High Court will hear the case on 18th September again.
