Mathura to get facelift to attract more tourists

To boost the tourism potential of Mathura, detailed projects worth several crores of rupees were unveiled today as part of the World Bank aided Pro-poor Tourism Development project for Uttar Pradesh.
As part of the initiative, the Banke Bihari Temple will be given a facelift including upgradation of Van Chetna Kendra.
"While Rs 36 crore would be spent for the development of Bankey Bihari temple area, Rs 26 crores would be spent on upgrading the eco-friendly environment of Van Chetana Kendra," District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar said.
The detailed project report for the development of Bankey Bihari temple area has been prepared by ICSE company of Ahmedabad and the work will commence from September witha deadline of 18 months," he said.

In order to promote sale of souvenirs of Braj Bhumi including dresses and brass images of deities, there are plans to set up a permanent Braj Haat in Vrindavan.
"It would be the part of pro-poor scheme, where different works of artisans and culture of Braj would be projected," he stated.

Expression of interest for tourist visitor centres in Vrindaban, Govardhan and Barsana was also released.
The next step would be to appoint consultants who would survey the area and prepare detailed project report (DPR). The two-level parking at Vidhapeetha crossing would also be renovated," Kumar added.
Yesterday, a team consisting of heritage conservation architect representing the World Bank, Shalini Mahajan, Tourism Directorate officials Manish Kumar and Satyendra Pandey, the architect of ICSE Sameeha Setha and District Tourism Officer AnupamSrivastava visited the Bankey Bihari temple.

"Two parkings at Kali Dah, two facilitation centres at Kesi Ghat and one at Bankey Bihari temple area form part of the pro-poor scheme.
The existing road in Bankey Behari area would be replaced with rubber moulded interlocking tiles since they rapidly absorb heat and radiate less heat during summer," District Tourism Officer AnupamSrivastava added.
He also added that before starting the work, an anti-encroachment drive will be carried out in the Bankey Behari temple area.