BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to complete infrastructure development in and around Alarnath temple at Brahmagiri in Puri district taken up with an expenditure of Rs 18 crore for the 45-day ‘Anasar’ of Lord Jaganath by the end of May.
Progress in the work was reviewed at the Secretariat here on Tuesday by Minister of State for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Kumar Dasburma. Conservation and infrastructure development of the temple has been taken up by the Culture Department. A provision of Rs 3.5 crore has been made for this.
Infrastructure development of Alarnath temple includes construction of boundary wall, kitchen and yagya mandap, strengthening of Meghnad wall and renovation of the well. All these works will be completed by May 25.
Official sources said Rs 13 crore has been spent by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for development of Brahmagiri bus stand and widening of road. Besides, LED lightings will be installed around the temple at a cost of Rs 1.6 crore.
Renovation of Chandan Puskarini (pond) has been taken up at a cost of Rs 78 lakh. While the boundary wall has been completed, work on construction of steps to the pond is going on. Construction of parking place for vehicles will be completed in first week of June. The project will be taken up with an expenditure of Rs 36 lakh.
Augmentation of drinking water supply to the temple has been taken up with a budget of Rs 60 lakh. The project includes construction of overhead tank and laying of pipelines. Besides, Rs three crore is being spent by the Rural Development Department for repair of roads connecting Brahmagiri.
It was decided that primary health centres (PHCs) at Kerandia and Brahmagiri will be upgraded. Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central) Bikash Mohapatra will visit Brahmagiri on May 6 to review progress of the projects. The Minister asked the officials to complete the projects within the time frame.
Chief Administrator of Puri Jagannath Temple Administration Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary in the Works Department Nalini Kanta Pradhan and senior officials attended the meeting.