Sambalpur: Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra on Monday set timelines for completion of different phases of construction works of Samaleswari Temple Area Management & Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) scheme.
The Chief Secretary visited the temple and offered prayers to the presiding deity of Sambalpur. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary, Works, VV Yadav, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian and Special Secretary to CM R Vineel Krishna.
The high-level team reviewed the development works being undertaken under the SAMALEI project. The team also reviewed the field-level progress of the rehabilitation colony under-construction at Durgapalli. The colony is for the families who would be affected by the temple development project.
Revenue Division Commissioner Suresh Chandra Dalai and Sambalpur Collector Divya Jyoti Parida and senior district-level officers informed the team about the progress in the project work and field situation.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced to develop Maa Samaleswari temple area in January 2020.
The SAMALEI scheme will be implemented over 39 acres. As per the primary survey, around 200 families will be affected by the project. However, the government has assured a decent package to people who will be affected by the project. Around Rs 250 crore will be spent on development of the shrine.
The redevelopment is likely to give a boost to tourism here. With the project, the Samaleswari temple will undergo redevelopment on the lines of Puri Jagannath temple and Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar. It will include beautification and peripheral development of the temple and heritage corridor. The temple will also get state-of-the-art amenities for pilgrims.
