Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday said that a revised proposal regarding land allocation for the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple committee in Pandharpur will be submitted within 15 days. The move is expected to expedite pending plans for expanding the temple’s cowshed facilities, reported PTI.
The direction was issued during a review meeting held at the state secretariat in Mumbai, where officials were instructed to prioritise the matter and ensure that procedural delays do not hinder development.
Land transfer near Yamai lake key to expansion plan
The proposal concerns the transfer of land near Yamai lake to the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee. The committee currently operates a cowshed spread across 12 hectares and has sought an additional 3.12 hectares to accommodate growing requirements, reported PTI.
Officials indicated that the expansion is necessary to support the increasing number of cattle managed by the temple trust, as well as to improve overall infrastructure linked to temple activities, reported PTI.
Long-pending issue faces resolution after years of delays
The land allocation issue has been pending for several years, with earlier proposals submitted in 2008 and again in 2022. However, the process was stalled due to technical complications related to land reservation and classification.
Authorities cited concerns such as the designation of the land for purposes including recreational use and water body development, which required further scrutiny and approvals before any transfer could take place, reported PTI.
Pandharpur remains key pilgrimage centre
Pandharpur, located in Solapur district, is home to the revered Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, situated along the banks of the Chandrabhaga river. The temple attracts large numbers of devotees throughout the year.
The town sees a particularly high influx of pilgrims during the annual Ashadi Ekadashi festival, when lakhs of warkaris undertake a traditional pilgrimage to seek blessings at the shrine.
Government pushes for development while addressing technical concerns
During the meeting, Bawankule emphasised the need to move beyond past technical hurdles and focus on enabling development. He instructed officials to prepare a revised proposal that accommodates planning considerations, including the potential use of the land for recreational purposes, while ensuring the temple’s requirements are met, reported PTI.
The proposal is to be submitted to the state government within the stipulated 15-day timeframe for further approval.
Officials and temple representatives review progress
The meeting was attended by representatives of the temple trust along with senior district and municipal officials from Solapur. Discussions focused on resolving pending issues and streamlining coordination between departments.
Authorities expressed confidence that with the revised proposal, the long-pending matter can be resolved, allowing development work to begin without further delay.
(With inputs from PTI)
