Sri Krishna's Dwarika (capital once) stands in need of massive infrastructural development, although the iconic temple stands majestically tall along the sea coast and in all the tourism promotional literature of the Gujarat government which has launched an all out campaign to promote tourism, inspired by the Kerala success story.

 The road from the industrial clusters of Jam Nagar to Dwarika is not only jumpy giving nightmares, but deep holes make road travel risky at many stretches. "Some areas along the coast and in the Bent Dwarika area across the sea were affected by the devastating earthquake years ago, but the followup lacked urgency. The 35,000 population of Dwarika depends entirely on tourists and pilgrims. Modi government should extend his generosity this side too," said Tulsi Das, a tonga driver and a guide.

 They (the pilgrims) come in waves, seasonally, more during the festivals like Janamashtami, Diwali and Holi. Drinking water is a major problem in the town, Tulsi Das added.

 Government officials, those of the tourism department, said the state government had provided sufficient funds and launched several schemes with packages for the area's comprehensive development and road building is to begin soon.

 The latest package of `100 crore, with central assistance, being presently talked about in Dwarika will promote integrated development of the whole area dotted with temples and historic places, feel the locals. An official in Dwarika said a bridge to connect Bet Dwarika with Okha will accelerate development of the area. The development schemes are being monitored by the Gujarat Yatra Dham Vikas Board.

Sri Krishna's capital draws about a million high-spending pilgrims and tourists every year. The state government is planning a comprehensive strategy to develop all the temples of various deities and the queens of Sri Krishna. Rukmani's Gopi ka Taalab (believed to be the bathing ghat for hundreds of queens of the Lord Krishna, stands in need of urgent renovational work. "The state government has plan to develop Okhamadhi as a weekend get-away destination for tourists," said a tourism official.

Priests at the Dwarika dham said the main chowk and the sunset point, near the Shiva temple will also be taken up for development soon. The approach road to Nageshwar temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas, is included in the plan for the area, according to travel agent Mansukh Bhai.

Many pilgrims and local residents wanted a direct train to connect Mathura with Dwarika. "The two pilgrim centres associated with Sri Krishna must be connected with an overnight train so that there are convenient opportunities for promoting travel by the pilgrims from the area," said hotelier Rakesh Bhai.

"When we came here we had lots of expectations of grandeur and visibility of the area's rich culture, but there was neither milk, dahi, lassi nor sweets, we Brajwasis are fond of, nor the exuberance and glitter of royalty associated with the Yadav dynasty that ruled here. Except for the main temple, there is only barren wasteland and salt lakes all around. They should have more greenery," said Padmini, a pilgrim from Agra.