Bhubaneswar: Secretary to Chief Minister (Transformation and Initiatives) 5T, VK Pandian on Saturday directed the officials to expedite the work of Ekamra Kshetra Heritage Project around the Lingaraj temple and and set the target of November-end for competition of land acquisition.
Pandian visited the temple area in the early hours for on the spot review of the progress of the project. It is learnt from the review that 80% of land acquisition has been already completed.
He also directed that the widening of access roads should get final touch before Mahashivaratri and the new alternate roads should be completed for convenience of devotees.
The development of alternate roads will help in pedestrians pathway around Bindusagar. Access to the temple would be through e-vehicles so that vehicular pollution around the main temple can be brought down.
Pandian also took stock of the new road from Lingaraj market to Taleswar Chhak, connecting road from new Lingaraj market to Bindusagar, development of eastern plaza in front of the temple and northern plaza at northern gate, bus parking near Brajabandhu Kalyan Mandap, development of Badheibanka and drainage system surrounding the temples. Eco friendly waste disposal methods will be implemented to make the premises clean.
It was revealed during the review that the land of Gopaltirtha Mutt and Shankranda Mutt has already been acquired and after acquisition of remaining buildings and land, the devotees can have a clear view of Bindusagar from the northern gate of Lingaraj temple.
In August, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed officials to complete the project within a year and take steps to include festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Ashokastami, Ratha Yatra and Sitala Sasthi in the national calendar of festivals.
He said that completion of the beautification project will strengthen the demand for placing Bhubaneswar in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
Pandian was accompanied by Works secretary Kishan Kumar and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.
