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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Govt plans to transform Sambhal into Hindu pilgrimage hub
Meerut: In the aftermath of the Nov 24, 2024 violence near Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal during a court-directed survey — which left five dead — the UP govt has been putting its focus toward reshaping the city's religious and cultural identity. It has approved a Rs 7 crore plan to revamp religious sites in the district, with Rs 3 crore earmarked specifically for the beautification of the Kalki Dham temple. The district administration has also begun groundwork to transform Sambhal into a major Hindu religious tourism hub, prioritising the redevelopment of several ancient or previously inaccessible sites. Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Vikas Chandra recently visited key sites including Shankh Madhav Teerth, Rishikesh Mahakoop, Mrityu Koop, and the Kalki Temple, inspecting the premises and directing the preparation of development blueprints. Plans for the Kalki Temple include a grand circumambulatory path, devotional wall art, manicured gardens, seating areas for pilgrims, and a statue of Lord Kalki's divine horse—all to be funded under the temple's Rs 3 crore budget. "This is not just about religious revival. It is a step toward restoring the city's lost pride and historical dignity," Chandra said. He added that the tourism department has already approved the Rs 7 crore package and that initial surveys have begun. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Work is expected to start within a month. This follows the govt's Dec 14 decision to reopen the Kartikeya Mahadev temple, which had remained shut for 46 years. Since then, the administration has launched an aggressive drive to identify and revive 68 teerth sthals (pilgrimage sites), 19 sacred wells (koops), and eight ASI-protected monuments across the district. For many, however, what is officially being described as a "religious tourism push" is widely seen as an effort to saffronise the city's historical narrative.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- The Hindu
Bulldozer clears illegal encroachments along Kanwar route in Sambhal
The district administration has launched a drive to remove encroachments from Ray Satti to Chandausi Road to ensure smooth passage for the pilgrims of the Kanwar Yatra set to begin on July 11. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Chandra told reporters on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) that the land officially recorded as road had been illegally occupied by some individuals. "To facilitate an obstruction-free journey for Kanwar pilgrims, the encroachments narrowing the path are being cleared by the tehsil administration," he said. When asked about the extent of the drive, the SDM confirmed that the anti-encroachment operation was being carried out across the entire Kanwar route, from Ray Satti through Chandausi Road, and would continue wherever Kanwar pilgrims are expected to pass.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
PWD zeroes in on 11 road black spots in need for repair
1 2 Lucknow: The public works department (PWD), in its latest survey, has identified 11 locations where road safety work is required to repair the black spots. While three accident spots are situated within the city, the remaining eight are on the national highways connecting the city with the neighbouring districts. The road stretches where vulnerability was detected, owing to conflicts between motor vehicles, non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians are majorly situated over the Lucknow-Ayodhya road. Kamta crossing in Chinhat, which witnesses regular bottlenecks as city traffic merges with the highway-bound traffic, as well as motorists who ply via Shaheed path, is one of the key black spots. "Road engineering needs to be improved around the intersection. We have requested the local administration and police to get the encroachment and roadside vendors removed. Regular drives are also needed against the e-rickshaw and autorickshaw drivers, and bus drivers need to be sensitised," said an engineer deputed in the city. However, the owner of a stationery shop in the Ismailganj locality along the highway, Vikas Chandra, added, "A lot of vehicle owners are caught unaware and take the mandatory U-turn that was constructed to facilitate movement towards the Allahabad high court building under the flyover. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The concrete embankment created to funnel the vehicle into the U-turn lane is just one foot from the ground, and at night, a lot of vehicles collide into it unknowingly. " Similarly, near Adarsh dhabha on the Faizabad road in Chinhat, measures need to be taken to reduce conflicts. Kisan path intersection, further ahead on the route, is another point where multiple accidents have been reported. Also, near a fuel station situated close to the Barabanki border, the median needs to be strengthened to discourage two-wheelers from plying in the wrong direction. The other locations where repair or improvements are needed include the Vibhuti Khand-Shaheed path intersection near Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, the stretch near Malhaur railway station, and Kumhrawan intersection on Sitapur road, among others. Officials said that a budget of close to Rs 52 lakh will be required for the improvement works. In the past, the most vulnerable black spot was detected around the Gosainganj trisection on the Sultanpur road. However, measures were taken to reduce casualties. Over the years, more than 85 fatal accidents took place over the 500-mt road stretch owing to over-speeding, wrong-side driving and jumping the road signals, among other reasons.
