Ashtavinayak Development Plan Will Boost Maharashtra’s Economy Along with Tourism – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Review of Works under Shri Kshetra Ashtavinayak Ganpati Temple Area Development Plan

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : The ongoing development works in the temple premises of the revered Ashtavinayak shrines, which are a place of faith for lakhs of devotees from Maharashtra and across the country, must be completed on time and with high quality. While implementing this development plan, care must be taken not to disturb the original structure of the temples, and every work should be given a “heritage touch.” The Shri Ashtavinayak Temple Development Plan will not only provide quality facilities to devotees but also boost tourism in Maharashtra and strengthen the economy, said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

A review meeting of the Ashtavinayak Temple Area Development Plan works was held under the chairmanship of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in his committee hall at Mantralaya. Present on the occasion were Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O. P. Gupta, Principal Secretary (Planning) Saurabh Vijay, Principal Secretary (Rural Development) Eknath Davale, Deputy CM’s Secretary Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Director of Archaeology & Museums, Mumbai Tejas Garge, Assistant Director of Archaeology & Museums, Pune Vilas Vahane, and Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Nilesh Gatne. Also present via video conferencing were Divisional Commissioner, Pune Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, District Collector, Pune Jitendra Dudi, District Collector, Raigad Kishan Javalekar, District Collector, Ahilyanagar Dr. Pankaj Ashiya, CEO Pune Zilla Parishad Gajanan Patil, CEO Raigad Zilla Parishad Neha Bhosale, and CEO Ahilyanagar Zilla Parishad Anand Bhandari.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that development works around the Mayureshwar (Morgaon), Chintamani Ganpati (Theur), Vighneshwar (Ozar), Mahaganapati (Ranjangaon), Varadvinayak (Mahad), Siddhivinayak (Siddhatek), and Ballaleshwar (Pali) temples must be completed on time and with quality standards. These works should be carried out without harming the original structure of the temples. Local residents in the Ashtavinayak temple areas should be given alternative space and proper rehabilitation. More open space should be made available in the temple premises. Inconsistent constructions in the vicinity of the original temples should be removed, and arrangements must be made so that in emergencies, ambulances and fire engines can easily access the temple premises.

Highlighting Maharashtra’s immense tourism potential, Deputy CM Pawar stressed that concrete steps must be taken to build a robust tourism economy. On the lines of states like Kerala and Odisha, modern amenities, high-quality services, and tourism-oriented initiatives should be implemented to attract foreign tourists, devotees from other states, and the new generation, he directed.