Odisha govt to take up nine projects for Lingaraj temple beautification

Bhubaneswar: The State government today announced a special package for Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. After a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Lok Seva Bhawan here, the government said a 66-acre Ekamra Khetra Yojana has been launched as part of the beautification of Lingaraj Temple.

A release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said nine projects will be taken up as part of the package. Work on renovation of historic water tanks, modern parking, Lingaraj Heritage Project, development of Kedar Gouri and Muketswara temple premises, e-auto programme, establishment of a heritage interpretation centre will be carried out.

A park will be set up in front of Lingaraj Temple and vehicle movement in front of temple will be banned. Development of amenities for tourists will be the priority. While Bindusagar water tank will be cleaned with modern technologies, other historical tanks such as Kedargouri, Papanasini, Godabari, Kotitirtha, Ganga Jamuna and Debipadahara tanks will be renovated. This apart, security of the temple will be strengthened, the CMO release added.

Sri Lingaraj police station and Sri Lingaraj Temple Trust Board office will also be relocated. To lessen traffic and better movement of vehicles, a road will be constructed from Taleswara Chhak to Badehibanka Chhak. Also, parking places will be designated at four places.

Owners of makeshift shops evicted during the temple beautification project will get Rs 30,000 in two installments and rehabilitated at vending zones. Traders having pucca shops will get Rs 10,000 per month for 12 months and will be rehabilitated at market complexes built by BMC or Tourism department.

Compensation to owners of residential houses and commercial establishments will be given after discussions.

It was also decided in the meeting that a new Act will be formulated for the Lingaraj Temple on line with the Shree Jagannath Temple Act,

Among others Ministers Pratap Jena, Ashok Chandra Panda, Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner and other officials were present in the meeting.

Also Read

Comments are closed.