Priority for Vitthal Rukmini Darshan Will Be Given to Devotees, Farmers, and Workers – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Solapur : In order to ensure that the devotees face no inconvenience, the state government has directed the administration to provide all necessary facilities along the pilgrimage route, rest stops, and within the city of Pandharpur. Here, a convergence of devotees, farmers, and laborers takes place, and the government also belongs to them. Therefore, priority for the darshan of Vitthal Rukmini will be given to devotees, farmers, and laborers over VIPs, assured Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was speaking at a review meeting held at the government guest house in Pandharpur, in preparation for the upcoming Ashadhi Wari festival. Present at the meeting were Public Health Minister Dr. Tanaji Sawant, Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan, Public Works Minister (Public Undertakings) Dadaji Bhuse, MLA Samadhan Awatade, Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulakundwar, District Collector Kumar Ashirwad, Chief Executive Officer Manisha Avhale, Superintendent of Police Shirish Sardeshpande, Deputy Secretary of Nagarpalika and Coordinator Aniruddha Jawalekar, Deputy Director of Health Dr. Radhakrishna Pawar, Sub-Divisional Officer Sachin Ithape, Executive Officer of the Temple Committee Rajendra Shelke, Chief Officer Prashant Jadhav, and heads of relevant departments.

CM Shinde emphasized that millions of devotees come to Pandharpur for Vitthal Rukmini’s darshan and stand in line for 18 hours. These devotees should be given priority, and the government firmly supports stopping VIP darshan. He noted that as the devotees make their way to Pandharpur, the streets are filled with processions, creating a devotional atmosphere. The roads on the pilgrimage route and in Pandharpur city are clean. However, the administration should increase the number of changing rooms and trash bins along both sides of the Chandrabhaga River, increase the necessary manpower, and ensure the entire Chandrabhaga riverbed area remains clean. He also instructed that no cutouts should be placed on any poles in the city and that roads should remain clear.

For the 1.5 million devotees and pilgrims arriving in Pandharpur, free water bottles and mango juice will be distributed. The number of stalls should be increased to prevent crowding at distribution points, and the administration must ensure all devotees have access to clean water and maintain cleanliness. The government has established a separate Warakari Corporation with its headquarters in Pandharpur. CM Shinde announced that a comprehensive development plan for Pandharpur city should be presented immediately. He also stated that the government had announced Rs 20,000 for each procession of devotees, which has been distributed to the respective bank accounts.

Pandharpur city hosts four significant festivals annually, attracting millions of visitors. Additionally, thousands of visitors come for darshan each month. In view of this, the health department should promptly submit a proposal for a new 1,000-bed hospital, with the necessary funds to be provided. Similarly, the administration’s Rs 100 crore proposal for a planned skywalk and darshan hall should include facilities for the disabled and senior citizens, following the model of Tirupati, and be submitted accordingly, said CM Shinde.

For Ashadhi Ekadashi, the police department should plan traffic management appropriately. They must ensure that the devotees and pilgrims coming to Pandharpur do not face any inconvenience due to vehicle convoys and maintain law and order with sufficient manpower, as instructed by CM Shinde. The government is considering providing a permanent fund for police officers’ meals during the festival. The government is positive about allocating a separate fund for Ashadhi and Kartiki Wari festivals in Pandharpur in the future, and a proposal should be submitted accordingly.

Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan instructed that the sound system in Pandharpur should continuously play devotional songs throughout the Wari period and confirmed that funds related to the Wari have been transferred by the Rural Development Department. Health Minister Dr. Tanaji Sawant emphasized the need for a cleanliness drive after Ashadhi Wari to ensure the entire city is clean within three to four days. He also ensured proper traffic control on Ashadhi day and mentioned that funds for the new 1,000-bed hospital in Pandharpur would be provided by the health department. Meals for police officers during the festival will be arranged through CSR funds from Bhairavnath Sugar, he added.

Public Works Minister Bhuse directed that a comprehensive development plan for the facilities required by processions should be prepared and submitted to the government. He also emphasized the need to ensure no disasters occur in the city and that appropriate planning is undertaken. The Divisional Commissioner confirmed that the government-announced Rs 20,000 for registered processions had been deposited into their accounts. Superintendent of Police Sardeshpande provided details on law and order and assured that meticulous planning would be done for traffic management on Ashadhi day. Chief Executive Officer Manisha Avhale informed about the facilities arranged for devotees by the Zilla Parishad.

Initially, District Collector Kumar Ashirwad provided information on the facilities arranged by the district administration for Ashadhi Wari. He assured that the administration would ensure no devotee faces a lack of facilities during the Wari period and that further enhancements would be made as per the directions of the CM and ministers. The administration is preparing a proposal for a skywalk and darshan hall based on the Tirupati model, he added.