Pandharpur Will Be India’s ‘Cleanest Pilgrimage Destination’: PM Modi On Expansion Of Two NHs In Maharashtra

The development has been designed to facilitate pilgrims' journey to Pandharpur, a town associated with Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshawar.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid down the foundation stone for four-laning of five sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and three sections of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965G) via video conferencing on Monday.

The development has been designed to facilitate pilgrims' journey to Pandharpur, a town in Maharashtra associated with Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshawar, a statement released by PMO informed. 

Speaking at the event, PM Modi said: "Pandharpur signifies happiness and prosperity, and with today's foundation laying, the aspect of service has also been adjoined to it. About 225 km long national highway, which connects to Pandharpur, has also been inaugurated today".

"Alongside the palanquin route, trees should be planted on the (adjacent) pathway wherein drinking water should be arranged. I also want people to promise me that in the future Pandharpur will be the country's cleanest pilgrimage destination," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation more than 223 km of completed and upgraded road projects, constructed with an estimated cost of over Rs 1180 crore at different national highways for boosting connectivity to Pandharpur.

These projects include construction done on 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.

The statement also said that dedicated walkways for 'Palkhi' (palanquin) will be constructed on either side of these national highways, providing hassle-free and safe passage to devotees.

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 at estimated costs of more than Rs 6690 crore and about Rs 4400 crore respectively, it said.