Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will take up development of Sikharchandi temple and its surrounding areas to convert it into a place of tourist attraction.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday approved the master plan presented by Balwant Singh, vice-chairman, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) at a high-level meeting. On the direction of the chief minister, 5T secretary VK Pandian had visited Sikharchandi a few days back and issued instruction for preparing the master plan.
As per the plan, development and beautification works of the temple and its surrounding areas in 53.64 acre would be taken up with a budget of Rs 25 crore. BDA has been assigned the responsibility to execute the project.
The entire area has been divided into 4 zones with zone 1 to be developed for vehicle parking facility, sports and other activities. While zone 2 will be developed for view point and trekking, zones 3 & 4 will have infrastructure facilities for entertainment like community centre, shops and others.
Bhubaneswar North MLA Sushant Rout, president of Sikharchandi Anchalika Seva Sangh Khitish Tripathy, Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das, chief secretary SC Mohapatra, development commissioner PK Jena were present at the meeting which was coordinated by Pandian.
