New Delhi, May 27 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to present a development plan for Banke Bihari temple in Mathura's Vrindavan by August that include creation of infrastructural facilities, public amenities, road widening and shifting of shops and commercial establishments situated around the temple. The court passed the order while monitoring steps taken by the state government and a 14-member high powered committee (HPC) headed by a retired judge that is overseeing steps to decongest the temple after incidents of stampede at the temple resulted in loss of lives. The HPC had changed entry timing for devotees to view the deity with an aim to decongest the temple and make it convenient for visitors. It also shifted the location for conducting the "dehri pooja" which is exclusively attended by the Goswami community who are the temple 'sevayats' (priests) having exclusive privilege to conduct the worship and prayers. This was opposed by the Goswamis who constituted the erstwhile temple managing committee. They alleged that such reforms went against their traditional religious practices. The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, "Shifting of timing cannot be linked to crowd management. Even the 'dehri pooja' that is to be conducted at the dehri (entrance) of the deity's place cannot be performed at another place." The court directed the HPC headed by Justice (retd) Ashok Kumar to jointly consult the Goswami community and said, "The traditional religious practices must be restored. But you must ensure under these rituals there is no malpractice of taking donations." Senior advocate Shyam Divan appearing for the temple managing committee along with advocate Tanvi Dubey said the HPC has four individuals from the Goswami community. Of them, three are not the persons unanimously selected by the Goswamis. The court directed the HPC to have representation of the members selected by the Goswami community and said, "The HPC should consider their aspirations. The idea is to carry everyone with you." It further directed the four members to give their joint suggestions for preserving the traditional religious practices and improving day-to-day functioning of the temple. The court emphasised that the measures to control the crowd have to be holistic and must require the intervention by the state government in widening of the road, relocating markets and shops around the temple to an alternate site, and building amenities such as rest houses, toilets, bathing facilities, restaurants, public transport and battery vehicles for transporting elderly, women, children and specially abled persons. Additional solicitor general KM Nataraj, appearing for the state, said the UP government is in the process of having a master plan for the redevelopment of the area around the temple. The court said, "For the holistic development of the area, the UP government should come forward for developing the infrastructure facilities around the temple." It further suggested the need to have a hospital, fire tender facility, near the temple in case of emergencies. "There is a history of stampedes in this place and innocent people have lost their lives. The state should think of providing a medical facility," the bench said....