Latest news with #Krishna-era
News18
18-06-2025
- News18
'Braj Is Being Reawakened': UP Govt Plans 17-Km Vrindavan-Gokul Nature Walk Pathway
Last Updated: The plan includes the construction of a 2-metre-wide pedestrian trail that stretches 17 kilometres along the Yamuna riverbank, linking Vrindavan and Gokul. Krishna devotees visiting Vrindavan will soon find their pilgrimage even more enriching with the development of a 17-km Nature Walk Pathway along the Yamuna river, part of the UP government's Vision-2030. This route, connecting Vrindavan to Gokul, aims to blend devotion with ecology, offering a tranquil walk through the land of Krishna's childhood pastimes. Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore, this pathway is a key component of Mathura Vision-2030 – a comprehensive redevelopment plan launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to transform the Braj region into a world-class spiritual and cultural tourism destination. The Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (BTVP), in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department, will execute the project. The plan includes the construction of a 2-metre-wide pedestrian trail that stretches 17 kilometres along the Yamuna riverbank, linking two of the holiest sites associated with Lord Krishna's life -Vrindavan and Gokul. A Walk Through Divine History Officials describe the pathway as more than just a physical infrastructure project – it's a spiritual experience rooted in heritage and nature. The trail will be adorned with indigenous plant species, carefully selected to reflect the flora described in Krishna-era lore. The route will also feature shaded rest areas, benches, solar-powered lighting, fencing, toilets, and drinking water points. 'The idea is to allow devotees to relive the essence of Dwapar Yug while ensuring comfort and ecological preservation," said SB Singh, CEO of the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad. 'This isn't just a path—it's a sacred journey through the footsteps of Kanha," said Singh. The plantation drive will help preserve local biodiversity, prevent riverbank erosion, and enhance the green cover of the region. Educational signage along the route will inform visitors about the plants, wildlife, and Krishna's leelas (divine plays) connected to each area. What is Vision-2030? Unveiled in 2023, Mathura Vision-2030 is the Uttar Pradesh government's long-term strategy to revive, restore, and redefine the Braj region through spiritual tourism, ecological conservation, and urban planning. The vision encompasses 195 projects worth Rs30,080 crore, of which 23 projects totalling Rs2,300 crore have already received approval. Officials said from the Banke Bihari Corridor in Vrindavan to the expansion of Rangeeli Chowk in Barsana and heritage circuits like Sapt Devalay Marg, the plan combines infrastructure with mythology. The goal is to ease pilgrimage movement, preserve sacred geography, and generate employment through eco-tourism, cultural hubs, and hospitality infrastructure. Cabinet Minister Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary, who heads the BTVP board, said during a recent meeting, 'Vision-2030 is not just about modernisation. It's about restoring the divine geography of Krishna's land while preparing it for the 21st-century spiritual traveller." Devotees Give it a Thumbs Up The announcement has generated considerable excitement among Krishna devotees and locals alike. 'I've walked the dirt tracks between Vrindavan and Gokul many times, but this project will make it accessible to all—young, old, and differently-abled," said Meena Devi, a pilgrim from Bihar visiting Vrindavan with her family. For Mohan Tripathi, a teacher from Varanasi, the pathway is a chance to reconnect with Braj's landscape more meaningfully. 'We read about Krishna playing near Yamuna, in forests and gardens. Now we'll get to walk those very paths amidst trees and prayers—it's an experience we've only dreamt of," said Tripathi. Such projects will also decongest temples, allowing devotees to engage with sacred spaces beyond the shrines. 'Braj is more than temples. It's a living memory of the divine, and this path will honour that," people said. Economic and Cultural Revival Tourism experts believe the project could be a game-changer for the local economy. The long walking route will encourage homestays, handicraft markets, cultural events, and guided nature tours, all of which can provide livelihoods for thousands. 'The potential for heritage-linked tourism in Braj is enormous. A peaceful, scenic, and spiritual walk along the Yamuna will attract not only domestic pilgrims but also foreign tourists seeking cultural depth," said Pradeep Bhatnagar, a tourism consultant based in Mathura. Ravi Chaubey, who runs a café in Vrindavan, said, 'If this project takes off, we'll redesign our space as a Krishna-themed rest stop for walkers. There's huge potential here." Pathway to Progress—and the Past The Nature Walk Pathway is part of a wider effort to revive ancient groves and forests linked to Krishna's leelas—like Nidhivan, Madhuvan, and Seva Kunj—as part of an ecosystem-based spiritual circuit. The area around the Banke Bihari Corridor will be developed with Krishna-era vegetation, themed landscaping, and mythological markers. top videos View all When completed, the pathway will not just connect two sacred towns—it will connect generations to stories, devotion to nature, and progress to preservation. As Mahant Dev Prakash Das of the Radha Rani Bhakt Mandal said, 'This walk will not be just about distance—it will be a journey into devotion, heritage, and harmony with nature. Braj is being reawakened, not redesigned." First Published:
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Develop Mathura, Kanpur as model cities: Adityanath
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said infrastructure facilities should be developed in Mathura-Vrindavan, preserving the cultural and religious integrity of the area while generating employment opportunities. He was reviewing the 'Vision 2030' plans prepared for the development of Mathura-Vrindavan and Kanpur in a meeting with officers of state government departments. Mathura and Kanpur administration officers joined the meeting through video conference. The chief minister emphasised that Mathura's cultural significance and Kanpur's industrial prominence should be integrated to develop both as model cities with active participation of public representatives, entrepreneurs, youths and citizens. 'The comprehensive development of Mathura and Kanpur would be a step toward realising the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision,' he said. In the last 50 years, the Mathura-Vrindavan region has suffered due to the unplanned development and deterioration of the heritage, the chief minister observed. Officers informed the CM 195 projects worth ₹30,080 crore have been proposed for the development of Mathura-Vrindavan. The chief minister directed that access roads, drinking water, sanitation, and rest areas at religious sites be developed without compromising their sanctity. He called the planned digital museum, convention centre and the Green Path in Vrindavan a long-term investment. The chief minister instructed the officers that a statue of Swami Haridas should be installed at the under-construction Swami Haridas auditorium. Additionally, he directed that a Krishna Lok Park should be developed within the Jawahar Bagh premises on the public-private partnership (PPP) model, along with the comprehensive development of the facade on the Vrindavan Parikrama Marg. The remaining land in Jawahar Bagh should be developed into a city forest, he said. The chief minister also directed that approach roads and campus development work leading to the temples of Radharani's Ashtasakhis should be completed on priority. Reviewing the eco-restoration of 36 forests in Braj region, the CM called for planting and conservation of the Krishna-era flora. The clean and uninterrupted flow of the Yamuna must become a people's movement, requiring collective resolve, he said. Officials presented 61 projects worth over ₹37,000 crore for development of Kanpur under Vision 2030. The CM was briefed on plans like New Kanpur City, Knowledge City, Medicity, Atal Nagar (land pooling model), EV Park, Aerocity, and Mega MSME Cluster—all aimed at boosting Kanpur's socio-economic development. New Kanpur City will be developed over 153 hectares at a cost of ₹1,169 crore and will include 2,000 residential plots and various commercial zones for a population of 35,000. Among the 29 infrastructure projects proposed are outer ring road, Trans-Ganga Bridge, RRTS, metro expansion, integrated bus terminal, road junction improvements, and deployment of electric buses. Under ITMS, an intelligent signalling system and CCTV network will be installed at 102 major intersections to modernise traffic control. The CM ordered the relocation of the central city bus stand to the outskirts and creation of multiple bus stations if needed, along with new city bus stands, a convention centre and an urban haat. The CM directed that all city parks be developed as theme-based parks in collaboration with NGOs or voluntary organisations. He emphasised the need to bring all district and divisional-level government offices under one roof in Mathura and Kanpur.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP CM calls for integrated govt complexes in Mathura, Kanpur; reviews Vision 2030 plans
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday emphasised the need to establish integrated government office complexes in Mathura and Kanpur to bring all district and divisional-level offices under one roof, according to an official statement. Reviewing the 'Vision 2030' plans for Mathura-Vrindavan and Kanpur metropolitan areas, the chief minister instructed officials to ensure that these integrated complexes are equipped with proper facilities including chambers for advocates, adequate parking, food courts, and other civic amenities. "Such integrated offices will not only streamline administrative work but also eliminate the inconvenience caused to people by having to visit multiple offices," he said. Focusing on long-term infrastructure, heritage preservation, and traffic decongestion in the temple town of Mathura-Vrindavan, Adityanath was informed that 195 projects worth around ₹30,080 crore have been proposed for Mathura. Of these, work has begun on 23 projects, while 172 are under various stages of planning, the statement said. Adityanath emphasised the need to maintain the sanctity of religious sites and directed that facilities for clean drinking water, toilets and resting spaces be developed on pilgrimage routes. He underlined the importance of Vrindavan's Swami Haridas cultural auditorium, a proposed digital museum, a convention centre, and an environmental corridor as key long-term investments. He further instructed that a statue of Swami Haridas be installed at the auditorium and called for the development of a Krishna Lok Park at Jawahar Bagh under a PPP model. Adityanath directed that plantation and conservation of trees mentioned in Krishna-era texts be prioritised. He reiterated the importance of collective efforts to restore the flow and purity of the Yamuna River. Reviewing the development roadmap for Kanpur, the officers informed that the 'Vision 2030' blueprint for Kanpur comprises 61 projects valued at over ₹37,000 crore, the statement read. The plan aims at decongesting the city's core, strengthening public transport, expanding industrial infrastructure, and developing modern townships, healthcare and educational institutions. Among the major proposals are the New Kanpur City, Knowledge City, MedCity, Atal Nagar , EV Park, AeroCity, and a mega MSME cluster. Officials informed the Chief Minister that New Kanpur City, being developed over 153 hectares at a cost of ₹1,169 crore, will feature 2,000 residential plots and multiple commercial zones to accommodate a population of 35,000. On the transport front, Adityanath stressed the need to tackle urban encroachments, which he identified as a major cause of traffic congestion. He called for proper rehabilitation of street vendors and reviewed 29 infrastructure projects including master plan roads, an outer ring road, the Trans-Ganga bridge, an RRTS corridor, metro expansion, an integrated bus terminal, junction improvement works, and electric bus deployment. An Intelligent Traffic Management System with smart signalling and CCTV networks at 102 key intersections is also on the anvil. Adityanath suggested shifting the central bus stand to the outskirts of Kanpur city and developing multiple intra-city bus stands as needed. He further encouraged the development of all urban parks as theme-based parks in partnership with NGOs and civil society groups. Stating that the holistic development of Mathura and Kanpur will contribute significantly to the national goal of "Viksit Bharat 2047." He said the religious importance of Mathura and the industrial strength of Kanpur must be integrated to showcase both as model cities.
