Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday approved a budget of Rs 70 crore for development of Maa Chandi temple in Cuttack.
The chief minister approved the budget after watching a presentation on the project by the Works department. The project, to be taken up under integrated development of heritage, monuments and tourist destination scheme of 5T initiative, will be completed within a year.
As per the project plan prepared by OBCC, a stone boundary wall with four gates would be constructed around the premises of the temple. A yajna mandap (platform), a Chandipatha mandap, a mundan (tonsuring) mandap, a Hanuman temple, a discourse hall and a kitchen would also be constructed inside the temple area.
Besides, the entire surface area of the temple premises will be covered with Khondalite stones and illuminated with light and creation of landscapes. CCTV cameras would also be installed to ensure safety of devotees. The Bata Mangala temple will also be renovated.
For the convenience of devotees, a Yatri Niwas will be constructed. There will also be facilities of cloak room, drinking water supply, prasad sale counter and parking space. Rest room for the servitors of the temple and an administrative office will also come up. For the shop-keepers to be displaced by the project, a shopping plaza with 18 rooms will be constructed.
As part of the project, the road in front of the temple will be widened for smooth movement of vehicles and surface of the premises raised for easy outflow of water during rainy season.
Senior officers including chief secretary, RDC and district officials were present at the meeting. Secretary (5T) VK Pandian coordinated it.
