Allahabad HC’s green signal to Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple Corridor

Road to be built on five acres of land

Banke Bihari Temple

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) – Allahabad High Court granted permission for the famous Banke Bihari Temple Corridor in Mathura, besides issuing orders for the removal of all encroachments on Kunj Road. The Court, however, did not grant permission to use the amount of Rs 262.50 crore collected in the Temple’s bank account for the construction of this road but advised the Uttar Pradesh Government to use its own money. UP Government will build this road on the five acres of land around the temple. The Court further instructed the Government to carry on the project without causing any inconvenience to the people going to the temple for Darshan. The Court also asked the Government to ensure no further encroachment be allowed to come up on the approach roads to the Temple, once the existing encroachments are removed.

Court’s passing verdict on a PIL

In 2022, Anant Sharma, Madhu Mangal Das and others filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in this matter. It was stated in the petition that the number of devotees visiting the temple was 40,000- 50,000 on weekdays; going up to 1.5-2 lakh on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. This number goes up to about 5 lakhs on the festival and auspicious days. The roads leading to the temple are very narrow, causing difficulties in traffic flow due to huge crowds. The encroachments on these roads have added to the problems and many times, there are stampede-like situation. Recently, a few people died of suffocation on these roads. The Government administration completely collapses during the heavy congregation of crowds. The UP Government and the District Administration have, however, not taken any remedial action till now, and it was pleaded in the petition to direct the State Government to take necessary action.

How will this Corridor be built ?

1. The road coming from the side of River Yamuna will be 2,100 sq. metres for to and for communication and will be developed in two parts; one on the lower level and the other above it will be about 3.5 metres where a slope-like road will be built.

2. Facilities like washrooms, rooms to keep luggage, drinking water, a childcare cell, medical aid, rooms for VVIPs and waiting rooms for the travellers will be provided in both parts. The lower part of the Corridor will be about 5,000 sq. metres while the part above will be about 650 sq. metres.

3. In an area of about 800 sq. metres in the lower part, there will be shops selling puja material. The shops that will be demolished for construction of this Corridor, will be allotted the place here.

4. There will be a parking place of about 37,000 sq. metres for devotees coming through Yamuna Expressway, wherein an area of about 11,000 sq. metres will be developed for parking of about 1,550 vehicles at a time.