Bhubaneswar: The Central government will renovate and develop at least 14 temples with an estimated budget of Rs 4 crore in Ekamra Kshetra of Odisha capital, said Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Friday.
Speaking to media persons after visiting all 14 temples, the BJP leader said she had interacted with the servitors and priests of the temple and the local people and sought their suggestions regarding development. “The identified temples will be renovated with the funds from the Centre. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will spend the fund in this regard in financial year 2023-24,” she said.
On sanctioned funds for different temples, Aparajita said while Rs 1 crore will be spent for Lingaraj Temple, Rs 25 lakh has been earmarked to renovate Sisupalgarh and Brahmeswar Temple, Rs 30 lakh for Bhaskareswar Temple, Rs 25 lakh for Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves and Rs 20 lakh each for Rajarani temple, Sukasari temple, Sahasralinga temple and Rameswar Temple.
It has been decided to carry out development works of Baital temple with Rs 33 lakh while Rs 30 lakh has been allocated for Parshurameswar temple. The repair of the kitchen of Lingaraj Temple and excavation of two temples behind the Lingaraj temple will also be taken up, the MP said.
The MP further said the fencing work of Papanasini tank is already underway with Rs 40 lakh and Rs 15 has been sanctioned for renovation of an old pond nearby. A well and pond inside the Kedargouri temple will be developed with Rs 3 lakh while the provision of bio-toilets at Mukteswar temple and footpath around it will be made with Rs 6 lakh, she added.
