Simhastha works should also change scenario of Ujjain city
Bhopal: Chief Secretary Shri R. Parasuram reviewed advance preparations for Simhastha-2016, Ujjain and ongoing construction works there at a meeting here today. At the meeting sanction was accorded to 18 new works costing about Rs. 100 crore. These works will be done by Ujjain Municipal Corporation, Public Health Engineering and Public Works Departments and Madhya Pradesh Western Region Power Distribution Company.
The works sanctioned today include development of seven lakes (except Rudra Sagar), access road to Simhastha Kumbha Mela Padao area, central lighting on roads widened in Ujjain city, widening of Hari Phatak bridge junction, rail over-bridge near Lal Pul, bridge on Kshipra River between Mangalnath Mandir and Siddhanath Mandir, civil and electrical works at 12 MGD plant at Gaughat, mechanical works at Ambodiya plant and setting up of 132/33 KV power sub-station at Bherugarh.
The Chief Secretary directed to ensure completion of construction works within time-limit. The Chief Secretary said that attention should be paid to take permanent benefit of the works to be done for Simhastha Kumbh. New construction works should also improve image of Ujjain city. The Chief Secretary sought department-wise information of ongoing works.
Panchkroshi Road should be fully convenient: The Chief Secretary directed that necessary facilities should be developed at various resting spots in Panchkroshi area. Shade-giving trees should be planted along with road for the convenience of pilgrims. Four overhead tanks are being constructed in Padao Sthal of Panchkroshi area. Besides, drinking water and sewerage lines would also be laid. AdditionalRs. 9 crore will be spent on these works. It is noteworthy that Panchkroshi Yatra is also held every year.
Kshipra-Avantika Hotel upgradation: It was informed at the meeting that there is a proposal from State Tourism Development Corporation to upgrade Kshipra-Avantika Hotel at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Similarly, a budget hotel is also being constructed.
Watchtower: The meeting was informed that process is on to acquire land for construction of a watchtower by Simhastha Mela Authority. Sanction to construct control room-cum-watchtower has been granted by the Housing & Environment Department.
Rail over-bridge and bridge: The Public Works Department will construct a rail over-bridge near Zero Point on Maksi Road. Similarly, a bridge will be constructed over Kshipra at Mukteshwar (near Chakra Tirth) and an additional bridge parallel to Kshipra Setu. Discussions were also held at the meeting on rail over-bridge on Link Road linking Maksi road with Agar road.
Barrack for police personnel and control room: A sum of Rs. 19 crore will be spent on construction of police control room and barrack for lodging police personnel by Housing Board and Police Housing Corporation.
Health facilities: The meeting was informed that Rs. 15 crore will be spent on construction of 200-bed block in Ujjain hospital and upgradation of Jiwajiganj hospital.
Khan river diversion: The Water Resources Department will take up construction of Khan river diversion. Water from Khan river will be prevented from falling into Kshipra river by constructing a barrage near village Panth Piplai and a 29 km long pucca canal will be constructed on left bank of Khan river. This will help release natural water into Kshipra River beneath Mangalnath. Rs. 70 crore 38 lakh has been sanctioned for this work.
Construction of ghats and expansion of temple premises: Works have been taken up for construction of ghats and expansion of temple premises for pilgrims’ convenience during Kumbh. About Rs. 5 crore works have been completed at Kabir Ghat. Water Resources Department will develop Sevarkheri reservoir and Somtirth Kund in coming years. Rs. 225 crore works are underway. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation is carrying out Rs. 100 crore works mainly CC road from Harsiddhi Mandir to Lal Pul via Narsingh Ghat, new road from Chamunda Mata and development of Simhastha Padao Sthal. Process is on to chalk out master plan of Kumbh area.
It was informed at the meeting that 10 works costing Rs. 725 crore have been completed by Madhya Pradesh Western Power Distribution Company in Ujjain. Road Development Corporation has taken initiative to construct 4 road construction works including Ujjain West Bypass Ring Road two-lane, Ujjain-Maksi Road, Ujjain-Badnawar Road and Ujjain-Jhalawar Road.
Additional Chief Secretary Home Shri Indraneel Shankar Dani, Ujjain Commissioner Shri Arun Pandey, Principal Secretary Urban Administration and Development Shri S.P.S. Parihar, Principal Secretary Housing & Environment Shri Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretary Forest and Tourism Shri B.P. Singh, Principal Secretary Public Works Shri K.K. Singh and concerning Secretaries were present on the occasion.
