Mahakal Complex to be known as ‘Mahakal Lok’; PM Modi to open it on Oct 11

Shivraj cabinet holds meeting at Ujjain; CM apprises ministers of project progress

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS The first phase of the ambitious Mahakal Complex project of Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, around the revered Mahakal temple in Ujjain of Madhya Pradesh, has been completed.

The state cabinet, in a meeting held on Tuesday, decided to name the beautified complex ‘Mahakal Lok’. The meeting was symbolically presided over by Lord Mahakal, who is considered by the locals to be a king.

In his address to the ministers, before the commencement of the meeting, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said many works, meant for the convenience of tourists and devotees have been completed in the Mahakal Complex. “It is a matter of pride for us that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the complex on October 11,” the CM said.

Chouhan told his colleagues that the entire vicinity of the temple, part of the Mahakal complex, has been attractively done up. Rudra Sagar, the pond near the temple has been revived.

Chouhan also prayed for the welfare of the country, the state, and the happiness and well-being of everyone and said Mahakal Maharaj is the king of Ujjain and we are his sevaks (servants).

The CM said in Ujjain, the processions of Mahakal Maharaj are accompanied by a police band. He said a special Mahakal Police Band will be constituted, which will be used on various festivals. For this 36 new posts will be created.

Chouhan said this is a historic moment for everyone, and added that after the last Simhastha (2016), the idea of extensively developing the Mahakal complex was thought of. For this, in 2017, a plan was made for the expansion of the campus with the help of all the sections of the society.

Tenders were invited in 2018 for the first phase. Later, due to a change of government, the work was suspended but we visited Ujjain in the year 2020 and reviewed the work in detail, he said.

In the first phase of campus expansion, works worth Rs 351 crore have been completed. Work worth Rs 310.22 crores will be done for the second phase, the CM said.

Chouhan said many houses were displaced in the work of expansion of the campus and the rehabilitation work was done at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Due to the revival of Rudrasagar, the water of Kshipra River will be retained in it for the use of devotees. A special ‘Mahakal path’ was constructed to the temple and fitted with lighting and sound arrangements. He said many works are to be completed in the second phase also.

The CM said an in-principle decision has been taken to ensure that the water of River Narmada will always flow to River Kshipra. Work is going on to divert the contaminated water from the factories. Riverfront will also be developed on the banks of River Kshipra, which will give a different look to Ujjain.