Hema Malini backs Banke Bihari Corridor, says ‘everyone, including Goswamis, will benefit'

Time of India

2 days ago

Agra: Mathura BJP MP
Hema Malini
has welcomed the Supreme Court's (SC) order permitting the construction of the Banke Bihari Corridor in Vrindavan, saying, "The decision is timely and necessary, as the increasing number of devotees visiting the temple has led to challenges in managing darshan.
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She added, "The number of devotees is growing day by day, and in such circumstances, we keep hearing distressing news. The SC's decision is a welcome step."
Regarding concerns raised by the Goswami community, the MP said the project would benefit all stakeholders. "Everyone will benefit from this... Our govt works keeping everyone in mind. The Goswami community, who perform puja and maintain the temple, will also benefit," she said.
Established in 1862 in the heart of Vrindavan, the Shri Banke Bihari temple is administered by Shebaits — a hereditary priesthood responsible for daily rituals and temple management. It remains one of North India's most visited pilgrimage sites.
The top court's May 15 verdict came amid ongoing protests by members of the Goswami community and local residents, who have opposed both the corridor project and the formation of Banke Bihari Temple Trust.
The court's decision, delivered by a bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, cleared the way for the govt to move ahead with its Rs 500 crore redevelopment plan, which includes acquiring nearly five acres of land near the shrine, using temple funds.
Calls for redevelopment intensified after a stampede-like incident during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, which left two dead. In Sept 2023, the Allahabad high court directed the state govt to implement a corridor plan for improved crowd management and safety. While officials claim stakeholders were consulted, Shebaits and local residents have alleged they were excluded from the planning process.