Pandharpur Corridor to Be Completed with Fair Rehabilitation, No Injustice to Anyone: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Chief Minister Performs Official Maha Puja of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini on Ashadhi Ekadashi

Pandharpur, July 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday assured that the proposed Pandharpur Corridor project would be completed within the next two-and-a-half years without causing injustice to anyone, stressing that all affected residents and stakeholders would receive proper rehabilitation.

Speaking after performing the official Maha Puja of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, the Chief Minister said the corridor project aims to provide better facilities for the ever-growing number of devotees visiting the holy temple every year.

Fadnavis, accompanied by his wife Amruta Fadnavis and honorary Warkari couple Babasaheb Madhav Mane and Prabhavati Babasaheb Mane, performed the traditional state-sponsored Maha Puja. He later addressed a felicitation ceremony organised by the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee.

The event was attended by Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Labour Minister Adv. Akash Fundkar, MLAs Samadhan Avtade, Rajendra Raut, Suresh Khade, Bapusaheb Pathare, District Collector S. Karthikeyan, Chief Executive Officer Kushal Jain, Temple Committee Co-Chairman Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar, Executive Officer Rajendra Shelke, Manager Praveenkumar Gham, and other dignitaries.

The Chief Minister noted that most of the previously sanctioned temple development works had already been completed. He said that with lakhs of devotees arriving annually for Lord Vitthal’s darshan, the existing space around the temple has become inadequate, making the corridor project essential.

“We intend to begin the corridor work this year. The project has been designed in such a way that local businesses will benefit, residents will receive proper housing, and tenants will also be suitably rehabilitated. Once completed, the temple complex will be capable of efficiently handling even larger numbers of pilgrims,” he said.

Highlighting this year’s pilgrimage, Fadnavis said the annual Wari had created a new record, with the queue for darshan stretching beyond 25 kilometres. Despite waiting nearly 25 hours, devotees remained patient, continuously chanting the name of Lord Vitthal with devotion and enthusiasm.

He also praised the administration’s efforts to maintain cleanliness during the pilgrimage. According to the Chief Minister, special attention was paid to keeping the waters of the Chandrabhaga River clean, while excellent sanitation arrangements in the riverbed ensured the removal of waste and restored its natural beauty.

“I pray that Lord Vitthal accepts the service rendered by all of us and continues to bless every devotee,” he said.

Fadnavis described participation in the Wari as a unique spiritual experience. He observed that while many devotees undertake the long journey on foot, some are content with merely seeing the temple’s pinnacle, considering it equivalent to meeting Lord Vitthal himself.

“Performing this Maha Puja as a representative of the people of Maharashtra is an honour. This worship is offered on behalf of every devotee of Lord Pandurang across Maharashtra and around the world,” he said.

The Chief Minister also underlined the social philosophy of the Wari, saying pilgrims come from every section of society, including farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.

“Even if we are unable to directly serve Lord Vitthal, serving the Warkaris and our farmers is service that reaches Him,” he remarked.

Fadnavis highlighted several welfare measures announced by the Maharashtra government, including a loan waiver for 5.6 million farmers, free electricity for farmers, and the waiver of pending electricity dues, expressing hope that these initiatives would transform rural lives.

Earlier, Temple Committee Co-Chairman Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar praised the state government for strengthening temple infrastructure and providing financial support. He also commended the efficient management of the darshan queues, saying that even with 50,000 to 60,000 devotees waiting, improved facilities had made the pilgrimage much more comfortable.

Following the Maha Puja, the Chief Minister and Amruta Fadnavis honoured the ceremonial Warkari couple, Babasaheb Madhav Mane and Prabhavati Mane of Gaurgaon village in Dharashiv district. They were also presented with free Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus passes valid for one year.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Fadnavis also presented the ‘Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi’ Awards to Wari groups promoting water conservation, sanitation, environmental protection, plastic-free pilgrimages, and tree conservation.

The first prize was awarded to Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Sansthan, Kaundanyapur, the second prize to Warkari Dharmasankirtan Seva Pratishthan, Jalna, and the third prize to Gorhekar Sanstha, Alandi Devachi, along with cash awards and citations.