Asia’s largest park is coming up in Mathura
Lord Krishna’s childhood – in an artist’s imagination (Picture Courtesy: krishna.org)
As part of the pilgrimage tourism development programme, Uttar Pradesh is building a 400 acre ‘city forest’ near Kalidah ghat in Vrindavan, which is going to be the largest park in Asia.
Yogi Adityanath, The Chief Minister of UP, will lay the foundation stone of this project by the end of August and will complete within 18 months. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 150 crore, as informed by Srikant Sharma, UP government spokesperson.
“The prime objective is to develop Braj, Lord Krishna’s childhood abode, same as described in the legends,” he added.
The government has already allocated Rs 100 crore to promote pilgrimage tourism in the state. Besides, Rs 50 crore has been provided by KJ Alphons, the minister of state for tourism for the development of Govardhan Parikrama. The Parikramas, including Saptkosi Giriraj Parikrama, Thakur ji Parikrama, will maintain as ‘no vehicle’ zone.
Sharma also informed that there are proposals to use electric vehicles in the pilgrimage tourism sites, in order to curb pollution. It is part of the government’s efforts to provide clean and green environment to the pilgrims.