Nagpur: Two of Vidarbha’s most prominent spiritual centres — the Chakradhar Swami temple in Katol and Sant Gadge Baba’s samadhi in Amravati — are set for a ₹66.75 crore makeover, with the state clearing projects aimed at improving pilgrim facilities. The revised development plans were approved at a meeting of the state-level committee chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.The approvals include ₹41.75 crore for the historic Katol temple complex in Nagpur district and ₹25 crore for the samadhi site in Amravati. The two projects account for more than half of the ₹115.30 crore approved for three pilgrimage centres across Maharashtra. A third plan worth ₹48.55 crore was approved for the Sant Janabai pilgrimage site at Gangakhed in Parbhani district.At Katol, the project proposes a multipurpose hall, grand entrance gate, modern public toilets, parking facilities, landscaped gardens, pathways, retaining walls and an arched bridge, besides other tourism-related infrastructure.The Amravati project will focus on expanding facilities around the Sant Gadge Baba samadhi and completing the Sant Gadge Maharaj Memorial and Cultural Value Education Centre. It also includes a village cleanliness mission centre, additional floors for pilgrim accommodation, a kirtan hall, meditation centre, internal roads, parking, gardens and renovation and beautification of the samadhi premises.Fadnavis directed officials to ensure that the projects preserve the spiritual character, saint tradition and historical legacy of the sites even as modern amenities are added. He also asked departments to execute the works in phases, maintain quality and adhere to fixed deadlines.
