The ancient splendour of the place where Lord Shri Krishna received education, the ancient centre for computation of time, astrology, and culture, the glorious city of the great poet Kalidas and Emperor Vikramaditya, is now going to be incarnated in a new form "Shri Mahakal Lok". Keeping in mind the splendour, traditions, religious, cultural, historical significance of the mythological city of Ujjain, the state government made an effective development plan for the overall development of Shri Mahakal region, which is taking shape.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Ujjain to dedicate the first phase of the project in a dignified ceremony on October 11.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, world class infrastructure was developed in Ujjain in Simhastha-2016. Now "Mahakal Lok" is being built on the lines of "Banaras Corridor". In the first phase of the scheme, small and big Rudra Sagar, Harsiddhi Temple, Char Dham Temple, Vikram Tila etc have been developed in the courtyard of Lord Shri Mahakaleshwar. In the second phase, the Maharajwada complex will be developed, in which the historic Maharajwada building will be re-used as a heritage, the old remains will be included in the form of Kumbh museum and this complex will be integrated with the Mahakal temple complex.

The first phase of Shri Mahakal Lok, which is technically called "Mrida Project-1", has been completed. After the dedication of the works of the first phase on October 11, it will be opened for the common devotees. As soon as the works of the first phase are opened, the devotees will reach the Triveni Museum from the fourth arm of the Hari Phatak Bridge, they will have a supernatural vision of Baba Shri Mahakal.

The estimated cost of the "Shri Mahakal Lok" area development project is Rs. 800 crore, in which first phase work of Rs. 350 crore including Mahakal Plaza, Mahakal Corridor, Mid-way Zone, Mahakal Theme Park, Ghat and Deck Area, Nutan School Complex and Ganesh School Complex has been completed. In the first component of the Mahakal corridor, a 200 meter long walkway has been made suitable for walking on foot.

A 25 feet high and 500 meters long mural wall has been constructed. In addition, 108 Shiva pillars have been built with different postures of Shiva, which are spreading a distinct charm. Lotus pond, open air theater and lake front area and routes for e-rickshaws and emergency vehicles have also been made. The big Rudra Sagar lake has been filled with clean water. Also it has been ensured that the water remains clean.

In Mahakal Theme Park, mural wall depicting stories of Lord Shri Mahakaleshwar, deck area for Sapt Sagar and shopping and meeting area facilities have been developed below it. Similarly, multilevel parking for cars, buses and two-wheelers has been made near Triveni Museum.

Dharamshala and Anna Kshetra (food area) are also being built in this area. Paedestrian connectivity has been developed through road crossings. Surveillance and Control Centre has also been set up in the mid-way zone along with worship material shops, food courts, lake view restaurant, lake front development, public facilities and towers.

Under Sugam Mandir Access Road, Triveni Museum to Harsiddhi Marg, Bhagat Singh Marg, Hari Phatak Bridge to Mahakal Square, Begumbag Road, road parallel to Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Mahakal Square to Mahakal Mandir, Mahakal police station to Bada Ganesh Naya Marg, Bada Ganesh Mandir Road, new road parallel to Narsingh Ghat up to Nutan School, Harsiddhi Mandir to Bhagat Singh Marg have been widened and new roads have been made.

Maharajwada complex will be developed in the second phase of Shri Mahakal Lok Kshetra Vikas Yojana, "Mrida Project-2".

The works of this phase will be completed in the year 2023-24. In this, the historic Maharajwada building will be re-used as a heritage, by incorporating old relics and partially using the building as a Kumbh museum, this complex will be integrated with the Mahakal temple complex. Cultural Haat will be constructed reflecting the local art and culture. The components of Ramghat Façade Treatment include restoration of the paedestrian road leading to Ramghat, separate arrangements for vendors and cart hawkers, beautification of streets using architectural elements and Simhastha themed dynamic light show at Ramghat. Parking, Dharamshala, discourse hall and Anna Kshetra (food area) are also being constructed. In the second phase, renovation of Maharajwada, Rudra Sagar, Chhota Rudra Sagar lake front, beautification of Ramghat, parking and tourism information centre, widening of Hari Phatak bridge and railway underpass and foot bridge over Rudra Sagar, Mahakal gate, development of Begumbagh road, Rudra Sagar western road and Mahakal access road will be upgraded.

In the Chhota Rudra Sagar Lake Front Development Plan, recreation centre, Vedic Vatika and Yoga Center, Mantradhwani Sthal and parking will be developed along with landscaping. Parking information centre and sales centre will be developed. Desilting of Rudra Sagar Lake will be done by removing the sludge in the Rudra Sagar Rejuvenation Plan. Rudra Sagar will be connected with Kshipra river. The four arms of the Hari Phatak Over Bridge will be widened and a railway underpass will be built near Jaisinghpura.

The Mahakal gate located near Shri Mahakaleshwar police station will be protected and heritage corridor will be developed here. Similarly, Begumbagh area will also be developed and beautified. A 210 meter long foot bridge will be built over Rudra Sagar, which will connect the Mahakal theme park with the water tank of PHE. In this phase, the front part of Shri Mahakal temple complex will be expanded to about 70 meters. In this, the process of acquisition of 11 buildings has been completed. Seating, landscaping and walkways are also proposed in this area.