Pune: What Will Change at Bhimashankar? New Village, Homes and Pilgrim Facilities in Development Plan
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 15th September 2026: Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has directed officials to expedite the implementation of the development plan for the Bhimashankar Temple and its surrounding area, with a focus on balancing the needs of local residents, pilgrims and environmental conservation.
Dudi issued the directions during a review meeting held at the District Collector’s Office on Tuesday to assess the progress of the development plan. MLA Babaji Kale and District Planning Officer Kiran Indalkar were present at the meeting.
As part of the plan, local residents will be provided plots based on the area of their existing land holdings, along with fully equipped 1-BHK, 2-BHK and 3-BHK houses.
The proposed new settlement will include a gram panchayat office, primary health centre, anganwadi, school, multipurpose hall, community hall, food distribution centre, parking facilities, public toilets, water supply, streetlights, sewage management and solid waste management facilities.
A corridor connecting the temple complex to the village will also be developed. Facilities planned for pilgrims include a prasad centre, holding area, seating arrangements and toilets. After darshan, devotees will be able to reach the village through a designated staircase route, which is expected to create more opportunities for local residents to operate businesses and earn livelihoods.
The meeting also discussed cleaning and fencing of the river and kund areas and creating safe arrangements for pilgrims taking a ritual bath.
Dudi directed officials to involve local residents in the development process, consider their suggestions and cooperation, and ensure that the works are completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The administration has set a target of accelerating the work from October, after the monsoon, and completing the project by June 2027.
Dudi also appealed to local residents to cooperate with the administration to ensure that encroachments and unauthorised construction do not take place in the area after the development works are completed.
During the meeting, a video presentation of the Bhimashankar Temple and surrounding area development plan was shown to the participants. The presentation provided residents with details of how the village and surrounding area are expected to look after completion of the proposed works.
Trustees of the Bhimashankar Temple, local residents and officials from various departments attended the meeting.
