Rs.500 crore plan for holy Goverdhan hill

Goverdhan (Uttar Pradesh), April 12 (IANS) Goverdhan hill, which Lord Krishna's devotees consider one of their holiest shrines, is all set for a Rs.500 crore makeover.

Mathura district authorities have drawn up an ambitious plan for infrastructure development, road connectivity and beautification of the 'parikrama marg' - a 21 km path around the Goverdhan hill.

District magistrate N. Ravi said the Goverdhan plan was likely to be taken up for discussion by the Uttar Pradesh government next week.

Environmentalists in the past have highlighted ecological degradation due to uncontrolled mining in the Barsana area bordering Rajasthan. 'The green cover which was under pressure is now being augmented, particularly along the parikrama route,' an official in Goverdhan said.

Divisional commissioner Amrit Abhijat in Agra Wednesday cleared an Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) project to upgrade facilities to control water pollution in the Kusum Sarovar, a pond on the parikrama marg in Goverdhan.

Intach project director Manu Bhatnagar said 'bio-remediation' techniques would be used to control pollution in Kusum Sarovar and Mansi Ganga in Goverdhan. Same techniques will also be used in Agra's Paliwal Park lake and the infamous Mantola Nullah, he said.

Goverdhan town is visited by more than 10 crore pilgrims annually. According to legend, Lord Krishna as a child is believed to have lifted Goverdhan hill on a finger to protect 'Brijwasis' from the wrath of rain god Indra.