Highlights
- $31.5 million allocated for Parli Vaijnath, the largest single project.
- Bhimashankar development includes a proposed cable car and road widening.
- Grishneshwar project gets a revised plan with additional $5.62 million.
MAHARASHTRA APROVED PROJECTS worth $103.9 million for six pilgrimage sites and historical locations across the state, even as the state watches spending carefully amid the West Asia conflict. The biggest share, $31.5 million, goes to Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Temple.
The approvals come as the state says it is keeping a close eye on spending amid global economic pressures, according to The Economic Times. The move is part of a wider effort to develop religious and heritage tourism in Maharashtra. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the apex committee meeting on May 18 that cleared the funds.
The Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Temple project includes three phases: The first covers entrance gates, digital queues and a community kitchen. The second includes ghats, cycling tracks and facilities for persons with disabilities. The third focuses on Meru Parvat, where a large statue of Lord Shiva is planned along with a Vedic museum, amphitheatre and laser shows.
Around $21.94 million goes to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple near Ellora, the Times reported. The revised plan includes an extra $5.62 million for pilgrim accommodation, a bypass road and queue management. $18.0 million has been cleared for Bhimashankar, where narrow roads will be widened, a bus station built and a cable car introduced. Tourism facilities at the MTDC resort will also be upgraded. Work is to finish by May 2027.
About $14.09 million goes to Ajinkyatara Fort in Satara for restoring old structures, bastions and building viewing galleries and suspension bridges. The committee approved $13.9 for the Sangam Mahuli project, also in Satara, covering samadhi sites of Tarabai, Yesubai and Shahu I and restoration of the Sangameshwar Temple and ghats. Another $4.28 million goes to Dehu, birthplace of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, for work at Bhandara Dongar, drinking water, parking and an information centre.
The state's growing appeal as an events destination was also highlighted in an Airbnb report released in March, which found Maharashtra leads India in event-driven tourism.
