Government releases Rs 12 crore for Koradi Mahalaxmi temple development
Maharashtra has released a fresh Rs 12 crore for phases three and four of development work at the Koradi Mahalaxmi Jagdamba temple near Nagpur
The Maharashtra government has released Rs 12 crore to speed up phases three and four of the pilgrimage development plan for the Shri Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Sansthan in Koradi, Nagpur district. The state Urban Development Department has approved this fresh installment, which is expected to further accelerate the ongoing development work at the temple complex.
The government has already given administrative approval for a total of Rs 214.94 crore for the entire pilgrimage development plan of the Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Sansthan. Of this, Rs 164 crore has been disbursed so far in various installments under phases 3 and 4, and this fresh Rs 12 crore has now been released. The responsibility for implementing the entire project on the ground lies with the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority, NMRDA, which is the implementing authority.
To maintain transparency in the accounting of funds, the District Collector has been made the controlling officer, while the district's additional commissioner has been given responsibility as the drawing and disbursing officer. The government has clearly stated that the sanctioned funds must be used directly without any deduction and must not be diverted to any other work. The authority will also have to submit utilisation certificates showing where and how the money was spent.
The aim of this fresh funding is to ensure that the lakhs of devotees who visit the Koradi temple complex from across the country and abroad get modern facilities and better infrastructure. This includes a large devotee accommodation building, multi-storey parking facilities, a modern queue management system, arrangements for clean drinking water, and beautification work.
Special ramps, lifts and e-rickshaw facilities are also being built so that elderly and differently-abled devotees can have darshan easily. This will also help manage the crowds that gather during major festivals such as Navratri.
The Mahalaxmi Jagdamba temple at Koradi is considered a major centre of faith not just for Nagpur but for the whole of central India. Once the master plan is complete, the complex could emerge as a religious tourism destination of international standard. This would give pilgrims a world-class experience and also create new employment opportunities in the surrounding areas. Local small traders, the transport sector and the hotel business are also expected to benefit from this development, strengthening the local economy.
