OTDC yet to spend Rs 1.15cr for developing temple facilities

Image
Press Trust of India Berhampur (Odisha)
Last Updated : Apr 14 2017 | 3:57 PM IST
The Rs 1.15 crore sanctioned for infrastructure development of Maa Budhi Thakurani temple in Ganjam district two years ago is yet to be spent by Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) that is supposed to execute the work.
The temple is the epicentre of the biennial Thakurani Yatra that the Silk City is famous for.
The amount was meant for a gate, public centre and toilet facilities. Besides, lighting, drinking water and parking facilities would also be developed near the temple located in the heart of the town.
People from far-off places visit the temple every day and the numbers surge on Sankranti and every Tuesday in the month of 'Chaitra' .
The district administration took more than half acre of land near the temple from the temple trust and handed it over to OTDC for the work in May last.
Though tender has already been finalised, work could not start due to encroachment near the temple site, an engineer of the corporation said.
"We have taken up the matter with the district collector. But the area was not free from encroachment," OTDC Superintending Engineer, S Chakraborty, said.
He said efforts are on to start the work as soon as possible.
More people will visit the temple once the infrastructure gets a boost, Berhampur MLA R C Chyaupatnaik said.
He urged the government to accord the state-level festival tag to the famous Thakurani Yatra that is now underway.
The festival marks the visit of the Goddess to her father's house in Desibehera Street.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 14 2017 | 3:57 PM IST

Next Story