MATHURA  DM  TO  SPEED  UP  DEVELOPMENT

Mathura November 20

 

The Samajwadi Party government in UP is working on a special Braj Heritage Development Plan to speed up developmental projects and draw up a comprehensive long term vision of development compatible with the specific needs of the Braj area that draws millions of pilgrims round the year from all parts of India and globe.

 

District administration sources indicated that after the visit of the principal secretary last Sunday to review and gather first hand insights into the infrastructural requirements of the region, the momentum for the Braj Heritage Plan has picked up.

 

The state government is giving final touches to the Braj Heritage Development Plan for Mathura, Vrindavan and Goverdhan areas. After the president's blessings to the World's tallest Sri Krishna temple in Vrindavan last Sunday, the momentum has picked up. Indications are the proposed Braj Heritage Planning Board with the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as the chairman will be constituted early December.

 

However the fate of the merger plan of Vrindavan with Mathura remains uncertain. Two months ago, efforts to upgrade Mathura municipality to a corporation were initiated. But due to stiff opposition by Vrindavan residents the plan was shelved for the time being to protect the unique identity of Vrindavan.  

 

Meanwhile, responding to persistent demands by lakhs of pilgrims visiting shrines in Mathura and Vrindavan very week, Agra divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar has directed Mathura district magistrate Rajesh Kumar to take up cleanliness of surroundings in the neighbourhood of major temples and pilgrim spots on a priority.

 

The local residents in Vrindavan and Mathura have long been demanding specific projects to check polluted waste water entering the river Yamuna. The local bodies have through the MLAs and MP have agitated for proper mechanism for regular cleanliness drive. The heaps of garbage around temple sites and ghats are such an eyesore to visiting pilgrims. Of late some NGOs have been given the task of managing garbage and waste from the temples, but the shortage of manpower and lack of landfill sites have been hindrances. Convener of Friends of Vrindavan Jagan Nath Poddar said "we are presently managing waste from temples, puja samigri and flower wastes which we collect and use for recycling as vermicompost. In view of the importance of the Chatikara road we have now launched a special drive to manage this five kilometre stretch and keep it spruced up."

 

MATHURA  DM  SPEAKS

 

Talking to TOI, Mathura district magistrate Rajesh Kumar said the plan for the merger of Mathura and Vrindavan was sent to the state government, but since there were objections by NGOs and residents of Vrindavan who wanted its unique identity retained, a review is under process. Vrindavan of course has its own status and identity, therefore we have planned to take up cleanliness around the Bankey Bihari ji temple and the Keshi Ghat. "Now safai karamcharis will be posted there on a regular basis, not like earlier arrangement of come and go. A suitable mechanism has to be evolved so that the system is sustained on a long term basis. I am aware there is a problem of a landfill site. The concerned SDM has been directed to look for a proper land fill site away from populated areas. This will be a long term solution. We will also involve local NGOs to help in the maintenance of cleanliness and work out a viable economic model."