Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav undertook a walking tour of Ujjain city on Sunday to inspect various development and construction works underway for Simhastha Mahaparv-2028. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav reviewed the progress of the road-widening work from Neelganga to KTM Gall India Square and the construction of a new road from Shantinagar to Indore Road. He reviewed the progress of the works with officials present at the site and directed them to accord priority to projects important for Simhastha and ensure their completion within the stipulated timeframe.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav interacted with local residents along the route. Residents welcomed him with a shower of flowers. He shook hands with children and encouraged them, while appreciating the cooperation extended by local residents towards the development of the city.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the main route to Baba Mahakal Temple runs from Sindhi Colony Square to Nanakheda Bus Stand. An alternative route will also be available for traffic from Nanakheda Bus Stand. This is an important route through the heart of the city and will connect the old city with the new city through an elevated bridge. He said that the people of Ujjain had voluntarily set back their houses to facilitate road widening, reflecting the city’s glorious heritage and its citizens’ commitment to development.. Citizens have also willingly shifted their temples to facilitate the development works. Local residents have made their houses, land and shops available for the road-widening work, making an important contribution to the government’s development efforts.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that even in areas where houses and shops are being affected by development works, local residents are welcoming the efforts with flowers. This reflects the large-heartedness of the people of Ujjain and their positive attitude towards development.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that crores of devotees would visit Ujjain during the Simhastha Mahaparv. Ensuring their convenience and making adequate arrangements is not only the responsibility of the government but also of every section of society. Citizens from all communities in Ujjain are extending their cooperation in the city’s development and preparations for Simhastha. He said the spirit and dedication with which citizens are cooperating in road-widening and other development works was commendable, and congratulated them for their support. The government, too, would remain fully committed to taking concrete decisions and ensuring better and high-quality development works in Ujjain. These development initiatives are aimed at further enhancing the image of Ujjain as well as that of Madhya Pradesh and the country.
Rajya Sabha MP Bal Yogi Shri Umeshnath Maharaj, MLA Shri Anil Jain Kaluheda, Simhastha Authority Chairman Shri Jagdish Agrawal, Municipal President Shri Sanjay Agrawal and other public representatives and administrative officials were present during the inspection.
Ujjain Rapidly Emerging as a Major Centre of Religious Tourism
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the number of devotees visiting Ujjain, the city of Mahakal, has been continuously increasing every year. Earlier, around 60 to 70 lakh devotees visited Ujjain annually, whereas approximately 8 crore devotees visited the city last year. This year, the number of devotees is expected to cross 12 crore.
A large number of devotees visiting Ujjain are from other states. He said the Ujjain-Indore region was rapidly emerging as a major centre of religious tourism. The expansion of religious tourism is also bringing significant changes to the regional economy and creating new opportunities and possibilities for economic growth.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that keeping the increasing number of devotees and the Simhastha Mahaparv in view, the government was developing the necessary infrastructure and facilities with full commitment. Large-scale development works are being undertaken to expand roads, traffic management, connectivity and other basic infrastructure so that better facilities can be provided to devotees as well as local residents.
