Achieving Comprehensive Improvement

a) Redevelopment of the Parikrama Marg

The Parikrama Marg is 11 km long stretch used by people to circumambulate the main pilgrim sites in Vrindavan. The devotees walk barefooted all around the Parikrama Marg. Especially on Ekadashi, the number of pilgrims using the Parikrama Marg is enormous. However, the Parikrama Marg has poor road surface, especially unsuitable for pedestrian movement. Also, the stretch lacks proper drainage system, shaded trees and amenities such as toilets and drinking water are not adequately provided.

The India Heritage Foundation has come forward to fund, plan, implement and operate the improvement of Parkirama Marg. Initial efforts would be for a 2 km stretch of Parikrama Marg from Kaliadaha Ghat to Kesi Ghat. The project aims to equip the Parikrama Marg with necessary infrastructure to support the large inflow of tourists in an environmentally friendly manner. The project includes interventions related to traffic & transportation, urban design & landscaping, public facilities & utilities, waste water management, solid waste management and heritage conservation.

The planning for the 2 km stretch is in advanced stage by the The India Heritage Foundation.

Present situation of Parikrama Marg
One of the proposed options for improvement

b) Comprehensive improvement along the road starting from Vrindavan Nagar Palika via Ranganathji Temple to Banke Bihari Temple Area

The stretch from Vrindavan Nagar Palika via Ranganathji Temple to Banke Bihari Temple area has a number of pilgrim sites. On an average 20 to 30 buses visit the place everyday. The area has various modes of traffic including buses, cars, cycle rickshaw, bicycles and tongas. The area lacks adequate parking facilities, has poor road surfaces, the roads are not pedestrian friendly and lacks proper drainage system and shaded trees and amenities such as toilets and drinking water are not adequately provided.

The proposal includes:

• Improvement of road from Nagar Plaika to Rangnathji temple with separate stone pitched pedestrian pathways, separate vehicular way, improved round about at Rangnathji temple, cycle rickshaw lanes, plantation, drainage system, signage, sitting benches, parking facilities for tourist vehicles and rickshaws, dust bins, rainwater harvesting and a small tourist information centre.
• Improvement of the other stretches with proper road surface wherever necessary, drainage system, signage, parking facilities, drinking water, street lighting and dustbins.

The architecture of the tourist information centre and the drinking water facility would have Vraja character, by using similar architectural features and materials to blend with the surroundings. The pedestrian pathways would be of stone materials viz. Manadana stone and Bansipaharpur stone and Budhpura stone.

Restoration/Development of Gandhi Park

The original core area of the Vrindavan was once full of vegetation harbouring trees like Tulsi, Kadamba, and Tamaal etc. However the percentage of vegetation in the ecozone is negligible now, with built up areas occupying major share of land. Some pockets like Gandhi Park serve as fount of greenery. However, the Gandhi Park and the adjoining Laxman Sahid Bhawan are in very poor condition. The Gandhi Park has neither adequate plantation nor horticulture work and is also not aesthetically planned or maintained to attract visitors to use it. The Laxman Sahid Bahwan is in deplorable condition and the municipality has very little income from letting it for community functions.

The proposal includes:

• Improvement of boundary wall, pathways, denser plantation areas, lawns, small open air theatre etc.
• Adaptive reuse of existing Laxman Sahid Bhawan including landscaping, storm water harvesting pit, kiosks, improvement of gate and boundary wall etc.
• Renovation of existing public toilet

The architecture of the toilets, gates, boundary walls and other major constructions would have Vraja character, by using similar architectural features and material such as sandstone to blend with the surroundings. The flooring of walkways would use Manadana stone and Bansipaharpur stone.

c) Improvement of Banke Bihari Temple Area

The proposal includes:

• Pedestriansiation
• Covering of storm water drains
• Street lighting
• Signage
• Dustbins at appropriate locations
• Sitting benches at appropriate locations

The designs of the constructions would be such that they blend with the surroundings.