MANIT students to plan future development strategies for Omkareshwar

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Students of the Department of Architecture and Planning, MANIT Bhopal recently visited Omkareshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a major pilgrimage site. The objective of the visit was to assess the infrastructure needs and develop planning strategies to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the holy city.

According to the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, Omkareshwar currently attracts around 6.5 million tourists annually, with this figure expected to increase in the coming years. Although the city holds immense cultural and spiritual importance, the current infrastructure is under pressure due to the increasing influx of visitors.

Major challenges identified during the visit included inadequate road connectivity, limited accommodation facilities, low awareness about environmental protection, economic activities that degrade the river ecosystem, inadequate development control enforcement and the need for better waste management systems.

Students proposed sustainable development measures to address these challenges while preserving the cultural and environmental heritage of Omkareshwar. Their recommendations are part of a comprehensive development plan that aims to make Omkareshwar a model for sustainable religious tourism, particularly by enhancing both infrastructure and visitor experience with the ongoing development of Ekatm Dham.

The trip was guided by Professor Surabhi Mehrotra and Professor Preeti Omkar of MANIT, 26 students including PhD scholars as well as sponsored candidates from the Department of Architecture and Planning participated in the study.