Second phase of survey for land acquisition for development of Mahalaxmi temple area commences

Kolhapur: The second phase of the survey for the land acquisition required for development of Mahalaxmi temple area development plan worth Rs 1445.9 crore has commenced, district collector Vijay Rathod, who is also in charge of Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti (PMDS), said. A total of 10 acres of land surrounding the Mahalaxmi Temple will have to be acquired for this development work, and the land acquisition will be done in two phases, the collector said.

The state govt approved a plan of Rs 1445.9 crore for the development of the Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple pilgrimage site on May 6, 2025. The temple, its idols, and 64 temples in the area will be developed at a cost of Rs 143 crore in the first phase of the plan. The work of preserving and conserving the Yoginis sculpture has also started.

In the second phase, various facilities like darshan mandap, tourist plaza, parking, etc. will be provided to the devotees in the temple premises. For this, land will be acquired in the area, for which a fund of about Rs 980 crore will be made available.

“In the first phase of land acquisition, a survey of about 5 acres of land within a radius of 10 metres near the temple was conducted. The work of actual valuation of 136 properties has started. Meanwhile, at least 10 acres of land may be required in the temple area, so a survey of the remaining 5 acres has also started. After the survey is completed, the properties will be evaluated by the public works department, after which the report will be sent to the state govt. After that, a decision will be taken on the exact amount of land to be acquired, whether to provide cash compensation or resettle at another location.”