CM Mohan Yadav breaks ground for ₹85 cr Devi Lok at Baglamukhi Temple
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav broke ground for the ₹85.40 crore 'Devi Lok' Phase 1 at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Agar-Malwa, announcing a 14-km four-lane bypass, road widening, a Lakhunder river bridge, and new ghats to boost pilgrim access.
Key Takeaways
₹85.40 crore allocated for Phase 1 of the Devi Lok project at Maa Baglamukhi Temple, Nalkheda.
A 14-kilometre four-lane bypass from Amla to Nalkheda will ease pilgrim traffic congestion.
A high-level bridge over the Lakhunder river is under construction, with grand ghats planned on both banks.
Existing culverts and roads on the Nalkheda approach will be widened for safer pilgrim movement.
The project follows the Mahakaleshwar Lok model in Ujjain, which transformed Malwa region tourism after PM Modi's 2022 inauguration.
Subsequent phases of the Devi Lok project remain to be announced, with infrastructure completion timelines to be watched closely.
A sacred grove in Agar-Malwa is about to get a dramatic transformation. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Monday, 26 October 2026 performed the bhoomi poojan (ground-breaking ceremony) for the first phase of the 'Devi Lok' project at the world-renowned Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, marking the state government's most ambitious religious-tourism investment in western Madhya Pradesh since the Ujjain corridor boom.
₹85.40 crore and a blueprint for Nalkheda
The first phase of the Devi Lok project carries a price tag of ₹85.40 crore, a figure Dr. Yadav announced while detailing a clutch of linked infrastructure works. A brand-new four-lane bypass of approximately 14 kilometres will be constructed from Amla to Nalkheda, replacing the choked single carriageways that currently test every pilgrim's patience. Existing culverts and road stretches on the Nalkheda approach will be widened to match the expected surge in footfall.
On the riverfront, a high-level bridge over the Lakhunder river is under construction, and grand ghats — stepped embankments for ritual bathing and prayer — will be built along both banks. Together, these works signal that Nalkheda is not just getting a facelift; it is being re-engineered for scale.
The Mahakaleshwar Lok template comes to Malwa
Dr. Yadav drew an explicit line from this project back to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Lok in Ujjain in 2022 — a corridor-style redevelopment that reshaped connectivity, hospitality, and religious tourism across the Malwa region almost overnight. 'After the honourable Prime Minister's dedication of Shri Mahakaleshwar Lok in Ujjain, the entire face of Malwanchal has changed,' the Chief Minister said, framing the Devi Lok initiative as the next logical step in that arc.
The parallel is deliberate. The Mahakaleshwar Lok model bundled temple precinct beautification with arterial road upgrades and pedestrian plazas — and it worked. Ujjain's annual pilgrim numbers climbed sharply, generating a downstream effect on hotels, local traders, and transport operators. Nalkheda, home to one of India's most venerated Baglamukhi shrines, now has a chance to script a similar story for Agar-Malwa district.
What pilgrims and locals can expect next
The immediate beneficiaries are the lakhs of devotees who converge on the temple — especially during Navratri and other festival peaks — often navigating narrow roads and inadequate parking. The four-lane bypass will divert heavy and pilgrim traffic away from the town's interior, while the Lakhunder ghats add a contemplative riverside dimension the site currently lacks.
Subsequent phases of the Devi Lok project, and the completion timelines for the bypass and the Lakhunder bridge, will be the real measure of delivery. Ground has been broken; the clock is now running.
Point of View
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav reinforces the Centre-state synergy narrative ahead of any future electoral cycle in Madhya Pradesh. The ₹85.40 crore figure and the 14-km bypass are credible enough in scale to move the needle in Agar-Malwa, a district that has historically lacked the connectivity enjoyed by larger Malwa towns. The real test will be execution speed: corridor projects in India have a track record of ballooning timelines, and the Nalkheda template will be judged not on its bhoomi poojan but on when the bypass actually opens.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Devi Lok project at Maa Baglamukhi Temple?
Devi Lok is a multi-phase religious-tourism development project at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Agar-Malwa. Its first phase, costing ₹85.40 crore, includes a 14-km four-lane bypass, road widening, a high-level bridge over the Lakhunder river, and new ghats along the riverbanks.
Where is Maa Baglamukhi Temple located?
The Maa Baglamukhi Temple is located in Nalkheda town in the Agar-Malwa district of western Madhya Pradesh. It is considered one of the most important Baglamukhi shrines in India.
What is the connection between Devi Lok and Mahakaleshwar Lok in Ujjain?
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav has cited the Mahakaleshwar Lok corridor — inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Ujjain in 2022 — as the model for the Devi Lok project. Both initiatives combine temple precinct beautification with road and connectivity upgrades to scale up religious tourism.
What new road infrastructure is planned for Nalkheda?
A new four-lane bypass of approximately 14 kilometres will be built from Amla to Nalkheda. Existing culverts and roads on the Nalkheda approach will also be widened to ensure safer and smoother movement for pilgrims.
Who performed the bhoomi poojan for the Devi Lok project?
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav performed the bhoomi poojan (ground-breaking ceremony) for Phase 1 of the Devi Lok project on 26 October 2026 at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple complex in Nalkheda, Agar-Malwa.
