Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has reviewed a revised draft of the ₹7,200-crore (US$780 million) Mathura Heritage City project prepared by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) during a meeting in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The project, proposed under the Raya Urban Centre near Vrindavan, will span around 753 acres and is envisioned as a major cultural, spiritual and tourism destination drawing inspiration from Lord Krishna’s Braj heritage. The development will cover around 17.5 hectares and will include facilities such as a food court, waiting areas, handicraft outlets and an information centre. In addition, the authority plans to build a 1.4-km-long, 30-metre-wide road linking the Yamuna Expressway with the Banke Bihari Temple. The road project will require approximately four hectares of land and is intended to improve access for devotees visiting the temple.

The review was undertaken after concerns emerged when sections of the proposed site were inundated during last year’s monsoon. The YEIDA subsequently directed its consultant to carry out a fresh flood-risk and terrain assessment before finalising the project’s alignment. Initially, YEIDA had intended to implement the project entirely through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. However, recent evaluations indicated that the Authority would have to shoulder most of the land acquisition expenses, reducing the project’s attractiveness for private investors. Consequently, the board has proposed adopting a hybrid development model instead. 

Under the revised proposal, YEIDA will develop residential and commercial clusters, while major cultural and thematic components—such as the Krishna Heritage Park, temple complex, wellness and yoga centres, riverfront and green spaces—will be implemented through PPP. The Authority also plans to create a 30-km Yamuna riverfront, along with an art and craft bazaar, cultural plazas, hotels, convention facilities, and a 100-foot statue of Lord Krishna at the centre of the temple complex. Overall, the development is intended to function as a gateway to Braj tourism, providing visitors with a mix of cultural, spiritual and eco-friendly experiences.