Mathura likely to become part of NCR

Mathura district is likely to be included in the National Capital Region soon, said Mathura -Vrin dav an Development Authorityvice-chairman Nagendra Pratap Singh after attending a meeting in Delhi.

Singh said that he had presented all the details pertaining to the matter at the meeting, which was attended by officials of six other districts as well. Since Mathura was advantageously located between Agra and Delhi, the potential for development as an important pilgrimage and tourism centre was immense. Bharatpur was already part of the NCR. Mathura has a strong case for inclusion in the NCR.

“Once a part of the NCR, the district would benefit in many ways, with better and more coordinated urban development and more funds,” he said.

Mathura is one-and-a-halfhour’s drive from Delhi, with the opening of the Yamuna Expressway.

The NDA government has included it among the heritage cities which will receive more Central assistance for infrastructural development.

BJP national secretary Sri Kant Sharma told media persons here that once Mathura was i ncluded in the NCR it would be possible to extend the Metro service beyond Palwal.

The Modi government has assured an assistance package for Mathura-Vrindavan and has plans to implement a comprehensive heritage development plan for the district.

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Vrindavan priest fined Rs 1.4 lac for allowing pooja in sanctum sanctorum

Mathura: A fine of Rs 1.40 lakh was imposed on a priest of the famous Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan after he allegedly allowed some visitors to carry out pooja in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine against the rule, temple authorities said.

The penalty was imposed on priest Sumit Goswami for allowing seven pupils to worship in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine, temple management committee president Advocate Nandkishor Upmanyu said.

On failure to remit the fine within one week he will be disqualified from all facilities provided to him as the temple priest and will also be denied the right to vote in elections for the management committee members, Upmanyu said.

The priest had reportedly allowed seven of his pupils, four women and three men, to offer prayers in the sanctum sanctorum on January 13 despite the temple management's ban on entry of visitors in the zone.

A notice was issued to the priest immediately seeking his clarification on the issue, but after not getting a satisfactorily explanation for the act, a penalty, at the rate of Rs 20,000 per offender per day, was imposed on the priest in line with the punishment provision laid down by the management committee on November 30, 2013, Upmanyu further said.

Citing an Allahabad High Court ruling, Upmanyu said the law bars entry of more than four persons, including the temple priest and 'bhandari', into the sacred area of the temple.

Even President Pranab Mukherjee offered prayers in the temple premises just like a regular visitor when he had arrived here for the Nagpooja programme on November 16 last, Upmanyu added.

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Rs 440-crore World Bank plan to boost Braj tourism

Bankey Bihari to be renovated; Vrindavan, Barsana to get better amenities

The famous 150-year-old Shri Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan (Mathura) is all set for a major facelift with a Rs.70-crore plan to provide better facilities and modern amenities to lakhs of devotees and tourists. Read  Introduction toVrindavana

The redevelopment plan in part of the Rs.440-crore World Bank project that envisages creation of the Braj tourism circuit covering major tourism destinations around Mathura, including towns and hamlets like Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul and Baldev.

Official sources said a high-level meet of World Bank officials and Indian authorities with representatives from tourism and other departments has already been held and the work on the ambitious project is likely to begin after mid-2015.

As the Braj region attracts a large number of tourists and devotees from India and abroad, the project will focus on developing world-class infrastructure and create places of tourist attractions in the entire region, they said.

The World Bank has agreed to fund redevelopment and beautification of the temple in Vrindavan, which is regarded as the holiest temple for Lord Krishna devotees.

The temple, built in 1864, needs urgent restoration and expansion to meet to growing demand of visitors.

While Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for development and rejuvenation of around 100 'kunds' (water bodies) that fall on the “parikrama (circumambulation)” route besides upgrading civic and parking facilities in the circuit towns, Rs.10 crore would be spent on improving basic amenities for tourists.

Another Rs.40 crore has been earmarked for developing a forest spread over 400 acres between Mathura and Vrindavan to improve the environment.

Similarly, a haat (small traditional market) like the one in Delhi which is a popular tourist destination is also being planned in Vrindavan.

Over Rs. 40 crore would be spent on it to promote local art and artistes. Another Rs.6 crore would be spent on creating a new website and promotion of places of attraction in the Braj tourists circuit, while Rs.10 crore fund is for promotion of unique culture of the Braj region, particularly various forms of its world-famous Holi celebrations.

The WB would also give Rs.55 crore for developing unique tourists centres at Vrindavan, Goverdhan and Barsana, all closely associated with Lork Krishna while Rs.10 crore would be for creating special walking tracks in old Vrindavan areas associated with the mythology of Lord Krishna and his rule. “In couple of years, the Braj region would emerge as one of the best tourism circuits in the country,” the officials added.

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