Major Religious Sites In Pune To Undergo Rapid Transformation Before Kumbh Mela; Pune District Collector Calls For Timely Completion Of Projects

Pune, 11th April 2025: Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has instructed officials to expedite and complete all approved development works related to pilgrimage and tourism in Pune district with utmost quality. He emphasized the urgency during a review meeting held at the District Collectorate to assess the progress of the religious and tourism development master plans.

Among the projects under review were the development works at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Memorial at Vadhu Budruk and Tulapur, the Malojiraje Bhosale palace, Hazrat Chandshahwali Baba Dargah, Jejuri Fort, the memorial of Sant Jagnade Maharaj at Sudumbre, the birthplace development of martyr Shivram Hari Rajguru, the renovation of the Ashtavinayak Ganpati temples, and the comprehensive development plan for the Bhimashankar pilgrimage site.

During the meeting, Collector Dudi urged departments to coordinate with temple trusts and local administrative bodies to ensure timely completion of these works. He assured that any local obstacles or land acquisition issues would be addressed promptly, with Sub-Divisional Officers assigned to oversee and expedite these processes.

He stressed that all necessary facilities for devotees must be of high standard. Once the projects are completed, maintenance and repair committees should be formed to ensure ongoing upkeep.

Considering the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2027, Collector Dudi highlighted the need for a comprehensive development plan for Bhimashankar—one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a major pilgrimage destination. The plan should incorporate not only religious site upgrades but also tourist amenities such as improved roads, drinking water supply, sanitation facilities, and eco-tourism initiatives. He instructed that this master plan be submitted to the administration within the next ten days.

Dudi concluded by stating that, once approved, all development works under this special plan must be completed within the next two years, well before the 2027 Kumbh Mela. Officials from the Public Works Department, Tourism and Forest Departments, temple trust authorities, and development contractors were present at the meeting.