Rs 4.49 crore to upgrade Burhanpur facilities

The MP government has sanctioned Rs 4.49 crore to upgrade tourist facilities in the historic town of Burhanpur in west Madhya Pradesh, known for its weaving industry.

The project envisages improving wayside amenities at Rs 31 lakh, restoring and conserving fort walls, etc at Rs 1.10 crore, documentation, restoration and conservation of the Khooni Bhandara (a water-supply process) at Rs 1.10 crore, and improving approach roads at Rs 75 lakh.

"A sum of Rs 18 lakh will be spent on the improvement of the ghats, Rs 15 lakh on the construction of a stop-dam near Satyara Ghat, Rs 10 lakh on signage, Rs 34 lakh on the environmental upgrade of each of the 17 monuments, Rs 5 lakh on kiosks with public facilities at Idgah, Rs14 lakh on the facilitation centre, Rs 2 lakh on conducting physical survey of the project area, and Rs 25 lakh on the high mast, the monument light and the Mahal Gurudwara," a government spokesperson said.

Founded by the famous Farukhi rulers in AD 1400 in the name of their spiritual preceptor Shaikh Burhanuddin, the magnificent city of saints, seers and sages was once known as the abode of peace (Darur-suroor). It boasts of exquisite monuments that are silent witnesses to the marvelous tradition of communal harmony and socio-religious and linguistic unity.

The place had been acclaimed as the invincible gateway to the South, thus making it a place of fascination for rulers and conquerors and at the same time elevating it to the most edifying place for poets and writers. Situated okn the bank of Tapti the city has a glorious tradition of producing cotton, silk and zari clothes and these were exported to even Europe from here.

It is also famous for power looms and weavers and is a major market of banana and cotton besides being an important centre of pilgrimage for the Bohra community. It houses at least 35,000 power looms.