Gaya/Patna: A 108-foot statue of Lord Vishnu is set to be one of the key landmarks of the proposed Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya, alongside a major redevelopment of the Falgu riverfront.
The proposed corridor, spread over 88,340.28 sq metres, has an estimated cost of Rs 1,531.29 crore. Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar reviewed the project’s master plan and various components with officials, consultants and the district administration in Gaya on Saturday.
Lord Vishnu statue to anchor riverfront
The proposed Lord Vishnu statue will be developed as a prominent riverfront landmark under the corridor plan.
The project envisages redevelopment of around 451 metres of the western bank of the Falgu and about 410 metres of the eastern bank. The riverfront will include shaded promenades, pedestrian pathways, e-cart routes, shelters, drinking water facilities, public toilets and changing rooms.
The plan also proposes chhatris, pedestrian connections and other landscaping works along the riverfront.
Falgu ghats to be upgraded
On the eastern bank, a tourist facilitation centre and redevelopment of the ghats have been proposed. A pedestrian link from the Falgu ghats to Sita Kund is also planned to improve connectivity between important religious sites.
The riverfront development is intended to provide better facilities for pilgrims and tourists while improving access to the ghats used during religious rituals.
Sewage flow into Falgu to be checked
The corridor plan includes open-drain revitalisation, sewerage infrastructure and a sewage treatment plant.
Kumar directed officials to ensure that untreated drain water does not enter the Falgu. He said sewage treatment and drain rejuvenation should form part of the integrated riverfront development to maintain the river’s cleanliness and religious significance.
Pilgrim infrastructure
The wider corridor project includes a 400-bed pilgrim facilitation centre and a dormitory with around 540 beds. Facilities for pinddaan, shoe and luggage storage, toilets and waiting areas are also proposed.
A multi-level car park with capacity for 630 cars, 14 buses and 20 mini-buses, along with an elevated road, direct vehicular access, a drop-off plaza and e-cart routes, is planned to ease traffic around the temple.
The project also includes upgrading the Vishnupad temple precinct and redeveloping Suryakund while preserving its historic water structure.
Kumar directed officials to prepare time-bound plans for the different components and expedite works requiring coordination with the state and central governments.
The meeting was attended by the Gaya district magistrate, municipal commissioner, Vishnupad corridor consultant and officials of the departments concerned.
