Another Braj attraction: Heritage city to come up near Mathura soon

LUCKNOW: To ease the pressure of tourists from Mathura-Vrindavan, the UP government has planned to create a heritage city in the Raya Urban Centre. The greenfield project will be developed in an area of 9.3 hectare and is expected to have a population of 9.7 lakh by 2031.
Additionally, a logistics hub has been planned in the Tappal-Bajna Urban Centre along the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority.The two projects were approved as per the Masterplan of 2031 by the Yogi Adityanath government in 2017.
Industries minister Satish Mahana said that Raya, part of the Mathura-Vrindavan region, would have high-end tourist facilities, hotels, water bodies, recreational areas, etc.
“The move is aimed at decreasing pressure from areas like Mathura and showcasing the history and cultural importance of Braj,” he said.
Officials said that there is a lot of pressure from tourists on Mathura even as the area does not provide high-end facilities because of which several tourists prefer staying in Delhi or NCR, travelling to Mathura for a day. The new township will have state-of-the-art facilities for all kinds of tourists, providing options of long and short stays and recreational activities.
“The Braj region is famous for its association with Lord Krishna and many international religious communities have established temples and societies here. According to an estimate, about 5 crore pilgrims and tourists visit Braj annually with the peak tourist season falling between November and March. Footfall rises substantially around Holi, which is celebrated on a grand scale in the region. The government would like to promote the entire Braj circuit as a tourist-friendly area and therefore, better facilities will be developed around it,” said an official.
According to a YEIDA official, the tourism development zone will tap the potential of the Braj region while overcoming the current challenges being faced. The new centre will allow for showcasing the ethos of the Braj region while easing the burden on tourist infrastructure in Mathura and Vrindavan. It will also help in overcoming lack of tourism infrastructure, especially on the east bank of the Yamuna and provide a tourist zone with provisions for both short and long duration stays, he said.