Shops, flats near Banke Bihari to be allotted on first-come basis

Agra: To speed up land acquisition for the proposed Banke Bihari corridor, Mathura administration on Tuesday said shops and flats near the temple will be allotted on a “first-come, first-served basis”, with priority to those who transfer their land in the deity’s name. District magistrate CP Singh said the decision was taken at the high-powered committee’s 14th meeting held on April 9.The administration said compensation and rehabilitation will include monetary compensation, alternative shops for traders and flats in areas such as Sunrakh and Rukmani Vihar through the development authority.The corridor project, estimated to cost Rs 500 crore, involves the acquisition of nearly five acres of land near the shrine. Around 275 families, including 200 shopkeepers, are likely to be affected. A high-powered management committee is overseeing the project constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court. The panel, headed by retired judge Ashok Kumar, includes representatives from the administration, police, Archaeological Survey of India and the Goswami community.A member of the Goswami community, requesting anonymity, said, “The corridor will alter Vrindavan’s traditional character, including its narrow streets, temples and old markets. The temple, established as a private shrine by Swami Haridas Ji and administered by his descendants, should retain its traditional practices.”The project aims to improve infrastructure, including seating, drinking water facilities and entry-exit systems to manage crowds in the temple’s narrow lanes. The redevelopment push gained momentum after a stampede-like incident during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, in which two devotees were killed.