PM Modi To Lay Foundation For Over Rs 11,000 Crore Highway And Walkway Projects Around Pandharpur

To facilitate the movement of devotees to Pandharpur, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday (8 November) will lay the foundation stone to expand five sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and three sections of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965G) into four lanes, via video conferencing.

It must be noted that dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ too will be constructed on either side of these National Highways, providing hassle-free and safe passage to Warkaris.

Warkaris are the devotees of Lord Vitthala, a form of Sri Krishna, who is the presiding deity in Pandharpur. Lakhs of devotees undertake an annual pilgrimage by walking to Pandharpur from various parts of Maharashtra.

About 221 km of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg from Diveghat to Mohol and about 130 km of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg from Patas to Tondale – Bondale, will be four-laned with dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ on either side, at estimated costs of more than Rs 6,690 crore and about Rs 4,400 crore respectively.

These projects include Mhaswad - Piliv - Pandharpur (NH 548E), Kurduwadi - Pandharpur (NH 965C), Pandharpur - Sangola (NH 965C), Tembhurni-Pandharpur section of NH 561A and Pandharpur - Mangalwedha - Umadi section of NH 561A.

“Pandharpur has a special place in the hearts and minds of many. The Temple there draws people from all sections of society, from all over India. At 3:30 PM tomorrow (8 November), I will join a programme relating to upgrading Pandharpur’s infra needs,” PM Modi tweeted.