Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone of four-laning of key sections of Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965H) through video conferencing. Dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ will be constructed on either side of these National Highways, providing hassle-free and safe passage to devotees.
“Today the foundation stone of Sreesanth Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg has been laid here. The construction of Sreesanth Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg will be done in five phases and the construction of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg will be completed in three phases,” said PM in his address.
Talking about the significance of the place, PM said, “How many attacks have happened on our India in the past! This country was a victim of slavery for hundreds of years. Natural calamities came, challenges came, difficulties came, but our faith in Lord Vitthal Dev continued.”
“Even today, this yatra is seen as the world’s oldest and largest mass march, as a people movement. Who can forget the bird’s eye view of Pandharpur Yatra on ‘Ashadh Ekadashi’. Thousands and lakhs of devotees keep coming,” PM added.
He further mentioned that these journeys run on different Palkhi routes, but all have the same destination. It is a symbol of India’s eternal education that does not bind our faith, but liberates. “This teaches us that there may be different paths, different methods and ideas, but we have the same goal. In the end all the sects are the ‘Bhagavata sect’, said PM.
As per the government release, 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.
PM Modi added, “The court of Lord Vitthal is equally open to everyone. And when I say Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas, the same sentiment is behind it. This spirit inspires us for the development of the country, takes everyone along, inspires us for the development of all”.
PM stated that 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 country’s cleanest pilgrimage destination,” PM said.
“Service to Pandharpur to me is the service of Shri Narayan Hari. This is the land where the Lord resides even today for the sake of the devotees. This is the land about which Sant Namdev Ji Maharaj has said that Pandharpur is there since before the world was even created,” he further added.
During the event, PM Modi also dedicated to the nation more than 223 Km of completed and upgraded road projects, constructed with an estimated cost of over Rs 1,180 crore at different National Highways for boosting connectivity to Pandharpur.
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. Union Road Transport & Highways Minister and Chief Minister Maharashtra were also present on the occasion.
“With our ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana’, Vaishno Devi, Golden Temple, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Char Dham, all ‘teerth yatra’ sites have been developed by investing Rs 12,070 crores on 673km; rest 827km will be worked on after SC’s permission,” said Union Road & Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the event.
