Second Land Registry Successfully Completed for Agra's Ambitious Banke Bihari Temple Corridor
In a significant development for the proposed Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor in Agra, the second land registry was officially completed on Tuesday. This crucial step involved a local resident voluntarily transferring land to the administration, marking continued progress for this major redevelopment initiative.
Local Resident Steps Forward with Land Donation
Manish Mishra, the resident who sold the land, transferred 322.25 square meters of property to the administration. "I gave 322.25 sq m, and I want other people to come forward to help the administration so that it becomes easier to visit Banke Bihari," Mishra stated, expressing his hope that others would follow his example to facilitate smoother pilgrimage access to the revered temple.
High-Level Official Presence During Registry Process
The land registry was conducted with notable official oversight, including:
- Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Minister Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary
- Mathura District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh
- Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dr. Pankaj Kumar Verma
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh personally thanked Mishra for his contribution, making a public appeal to other affected property owners. "I appeal to all those whose houses or shops fall within the project area to voluntarily execute their sale deeds in favour of Shri Thakur Banke Bihari Ji," Singh emphasized.
Compensation Structure for Affected Property Owners
The administration has outlined a clear compensation framework for those impacted by the corridor project:
- Residential Properties: Approximately Rs 80,000 per square meter
- Commercial Properties (Shops): Rs 1,80,000 per square meter
Beyond financial compensation, the district administration has committed to providing alternate shop spaces and residential flats for displaced families and business owners.
Project Background and Previous Land Acquisition
This second registry follows an earlier land transfer on January 16, when a 69.26 square meter portion of property number 25 in the Bihari Pura area was registered in favor of the tehsildar (Sadar). Members of the Goswami family voluntarily executed that initial sale deed, setting a precedent for community cooperation.
Scale and Impact of the Redevelopment Project
Modeled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath corridor, the Banke Bihari Temple Corridor represents a massive redevelopment effort with several key characteristics:
- Estimated Cost: Approximately Rs 500 crore
- Land Acquisition: Nearly five acres around the shrine
- Affected Families: About 275 families, including nearly 200 shopkeepers
- Project Goal: Enhanced infrastructure and accessibility for pilgrims visiting the sacred Banke Bihari temple
The corridor project aims to transform the temple precincts, creating improved facilities and smoother visitor experiences while maintaining the spiritual significance of this important pilgrimage destination in Agra.
