TBM Staff - Mumbai The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has embarked on a significant INR 4,415.55 crore initiative to develop spiritual, mythological, and religious sites across the state.
Starting from the fiscal year 2017-18 to 2023-24, foundational amenities have been established at key tourist destinations, anticipating the growing influx of domestic and international visitors.
The development includes the enhancement of facilities at 1,620 religious tourism spots, incorporating 140 projects that involve ghats and pilgrimage routes. Proposals for these initiatives have been received from legislators, Members of Parliament, and other public representatives.
The projects are underway in various locations, including Ayodhya, Vindhyachal Mirzapur, Naimisharanya Sitapur, Prayagraj, Maa Shakumbhari Devi Saharanpur and Shukratal Muzaffarnagar, report The Statesman.
UP Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, mentioned the major tourism development projects undertaken over the last 7 years.
He said in Ayodhya district, tourism development projects underway include establishing tourist facilities along the Chaudah Kosi Marg at a cost of INR 12.10 crore. Additionally, restoration and tourism infrastructure development work amounting to INR 19.19 crore are being carried out at 14 religious tourism sites such as Rishabh Sarabh Panaas Temple, Siyaram Fort, Digambar Akhara, Tulsi Chowk Temple, Kausalya Ghat Temple, Kaleram Temple, Nepali Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwakarma Temple, Chhoti Devkali Temple, Mayur Temple, Bharat Mahal Temple, Ram Gulela Temple and Hanuman Temple.
Moreover, tourism development and construction work worth Rs 17.72 crore is focused on the Kundas along the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Marg, while similar efforts costing Rs 18.29 crore are targeted at tourism sites along the Chaudah Kosi Parikrama Marg.
Furthermore, pilgrimage centres (Ashrams) along these routes are undergoing tourism development and construction work totaling INR 17.56 crore along with work worth INR 18.76 crore for the Panchakosi Parikrama Marg. Restoration and tourism infrastructure development projects amounting to INR 34.10 crore are being undertaken at 16 pilgrimage sites such as Kartaliya Baba Temple, Tiwari Temple, Ved Temple, Singham Temple, Garapur Temple, Maniram Das Ki Chavni Temple, Bareli Temple, Rang Mahal Temple, Sitaram Mahal Temple, Motihari Temple, Tedhi Yati Mahadev Temple, Ram Pustakalay Temple, Vidya Devi Temple, Devikali Kund, Shri Sarovar Temple, and Dhanakshya Kund.
In Prayagraj district, tourism development at Maharshi Bhardwaj Ashram located at Balsan Chauraha is underway with a budget of INR 13.35 crore. The tourism development of Nishadaraj Park in Shringaverpur Dham, Prayagraj, is being undertaken at a cost of INR 42.51 crore. In Mirzapur district, the construction of the Vindhya Corridor is progressing at a cost of Rs 128.95 crore. Enhancement of pilgrim facilities and corridor construction worth INR 47.96 crores is taking place near Lalita Devi Temple in Naimisharanya, Sitapur.
Under the overall Tourism Development Plan, the Panchakosi Parikrama Yatra Path is being developed with INR 41.20 crore and an additional INR 24.32 crore is allocated for tourism development in Varanasi.
In Mathura, a sound and light show, along with seating arrangements for spectators, is being constructed at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan at a cost of INR 15.86 crore. Additionally, the development of the Barsana Parikrama Marg is also being undertaken at an expenditure of INR 18.73 crore. About INR 45.33 crore has been allocated for the construction and development of Vasudev Vatika in Mathura, while INR 18.89 crore has been allocated for the development and strengthening of Mathura Parikrama.
The strengthening of the pilgrimage route and tourism facilities at Maa Shakumbhari Devi Shaktipeeth worth INR 16 crore are being carried out in Saharanpur. Consequently, the construction of TFC worth INR 22.16 crore and parking facilities worth Rs 18 crore are also taking place. In Muzaffarnagar district, the elevation of Ganga Ghat at Shukratal Dham is being done with INR 19.90 crore, and the construction of TFC and parking is underway worth INR 21.24 crore.
In Hapur district, integrated tourism facilities are being created at Braj Ghat Gadhmukteshwar with an allocation of INR 13.15 crore, and tourism development of the VIP Ghat, which has been allocated INR 11.35 crore.
Additionally, the tourism development of the TFC multicultural hub is underway with an allocation of INR 22.53 crore. In Chitrakoot district, comprehensive tourism development of Tulsidas Ji’s birthplace in Rajapur is being carried out at the cost of INR 20.89 crore. Furthermore, cultural rejuvenation, widening, and beautification of Ramghat in Chitrakoot are underway with an allocation of INR 24.10 crore. (Source: The Statesman)
