Mumbai, July 2 -- Construction work has begun on the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor Project near the Kamakhya Temple on the Nilachal Hills, more than two years after the foundation stone was laid in February 2024. Officials said preliminary work commenced ahead of the Ambubachi Mela and that full-scale construction will start once the festival concludes. The initiation follows planning and design revisions intended to safeguard the historic shrine while improving visitor circulation.
The redevelopment aims to transform the pilgrimage experience by easing congestion, expanding public space and upgrading access for hundreds of thousands of devotees who visit the shrine annually. The project is budgeted at Rs five billion (Rs 5 bn) and seeks to deliver improved pedestrian movement and larger congregation areas across multiple levels. Authorities indicated that the programme will balance modern access needs with conservation of the temple fabric.
Design details supplied by the Public Works Department show the open area around the temple will increase from about 3,000 square feet to more than 0.1 million (0.1 mn) square feet across three levels, and narrow approach lanes of eight to 10 feet will be widened to nearly 30 feet to ease pilgrim movement during peak seasons. The Indian Institute of Hydrology carried out an evaluation of subsurface conditions and excavation requirements, leading to a revised design intended to avoid harm to underground features. Officials stressed that planned interventions are aimed at protecting structural integrity while enabling improved access.
Local residents and traders had earlier raised concerns over impacts on nearby shops and livelihoods, prompting a high-level review on June six at the Doloi's office in Kamakhya. The meeting brought together the state minister, the Kamrup Metro deputy commissioner, project consultants, representatives of Larsen and Toubro and local stakeholders to review relocation, compensation, rehabilitation and livelihood protection measures. The district administration has proposed geo-tagging commercial establishments within the project area to ensure identification of affected units, and officials said resolution of outstanding concerns is nearing completion so work can advance at full pace after the festival.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.