Culture minister Usha Thakur (centre) in Chitrakoot on Saturday

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): State culture, tourism and spirituality minister Usha Thakur has said that the development of Rampath Van Gaman Marg is top priority of state government. Rampath Van Gaman Marg will be completed in three phases.

In the first phase, the sites of Kamadgiri Parikrama, in the second phase the sites of 84 Koshi Parikrama of Chitrakoot, and in the third phase, other important places of Rampath Van Gaman will be developed.

Thakur made the statement at a review meeting regarding eco-tourism, Mandakini Ghat, and Rampath Van Gaman Yojana at Udyamita Vidyapeeth in Chitrakoot on Saturday.

The minister asked officials to prepare a detailed project report of Rampath Van Gaman Marg after taking opinions of local residents and saints. The collector should review the progress by taking a meeting of the concerned departments every 15 days.

At the meeting, Thakur was told Rampath Van Gaman will start simultaneously from Chitrakoot and Amarkantak in the state. The proposed Rampath Van Gaman will start from Chitrakoot and end at Amarkantak via Satna, Panna, Amanganj, Katni, Jabalpur, Mandla, Dindori, and Shahdol. Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation has been made agency of Rampath Van Gaman development works.

In the first phase of the scheme, administrative approval of Rs 1 crore has been given by the spiritual department to prepare the feasibility report and DPR for the construction of Rampath Van Gaman Marg. Also, Rs 50 lakh has been allotted as first installment, for which tender has been invited.

Thakur inspected the proposed sites after the review meeting. During the inspection of Mandakani Ghat, she instructed officials to install railings for the safety of general public and ensure regular cleaning of ghats. She also directed to arrange regular Ganga Shayan Aarti at Mandakini Ghat on lines of Ganga Shayan Aarti held in Uttar Pradesh.

Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare (Independent Charge) Ram Khelawan Patel, MP Ganesh Singh, MLA Nagendra Singh, Nilanshu Chaturvedi, Collector Ajay Katesaria, Superintendent of Police Dharamvir Singh Yadav and Forest Divisional Officer Rajesh Rai and local public representatives and concerned officers were present.