NAGPUR: The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) will develop Koradi as pilgrimage-cum-tourism centre at an estimated cost of 350 crore. 80% of the cost of the project will come from the state government while the remaining 20% will be contributed by the civic agency.

Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has proposed the project covering the famous Mahalaxmi Jagdamba temple, lake and land belonging to Mahagenco situated at Koradi. The site falls in the constituency of Bawankule.

Following Bawankule’s letter dated February 1, NIT board of trustees approved the proposal to develop the project on February 3 on an emergency basis without convening a meeting. A proposal to confirm the decision has been tabled before the board and will be approved in its meeting on Wednesday. Later, NIT will send a letter to the state government seeking approval to the project.

NIT sources told TOI, Bawankule will ensure the project to be approved under a government’s scheme in the current fiscal itself. The NIT will seek five more approvals relating to the project from the government. These include declaration of NIT as nodal agency for the project, handing over of total land to be covered under the project to NIT, to recover total expense and 20% share through revenue from the project, powers to communicate with the government and absolute ownership of all revenue to be earned from the project.

Bawankule had proposed Koradi Temple Development Plan a couple of years ago but it could not be executed. He had even got a development plan prepared by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recognized architect as Koradi temple was having the status of state-level Grade B pilgrimage/tourism destination.

However, Bawankule had to seek NIT’s help as the government could contribute 80% of project’s cost and remaining 20% has to be shared by the authority appointed to execute the project. The NIT is having immense experience in developing projects and earn revenue from it. According to the project’s preliminary plan, NIT will develop Koradi temple premises as pilgrimage with proper basic amenities, water sporting activities in lake situated adjacent to the temple and amusement park in sprawling land also situated adjacent to the temple.

NIT will construct bus stop, police check post, parking space, fire systems, hospital, shopping complex, bypass road in temple premises. Within the temple, NIT will construct a welcome gate, foot wash area, locker room, darshan area, abhishek area, dining kitchen, wash room, jyoti bhavan, havan area, prasadalaya, office, hall, storage room, housing facility for priests and VIP rest rooms. All these works will be part of pilgrimage development.

For tourism, NIT will conserve the lake followed by construction of amusement park, theme park, multimedia laser show, musical fountain, museum, auditorium, toy train, interpretation centre, adventure sports, water sports, zip lining, go carting, hot air balloon, rock climbing, rope line, children play area, fish aquarium, yatra maidan etc.

