The Tourism Department has sanctioned Rs one crore to develop infrastructure near Budhi Thakurani Temple in this south Odisha city.
This will include public convinience centre, parking space and drinking water facilities, said Tourist Officer (Ganjam) Sanatan Nayak, adding the department would consult the temple committee and locals about it.
The government has sought half an acre of land near the temple for setting up of these facilities. The temple is famous for the biennial month long 'Thakurani Yatra'.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ashhok Panda had announced to accord festival status to the 'Thakurani Yatra' during his visit to Chhatrapur six months ago.
"We'll pursue the government for an early notification on it," said R C Chyaupatnaik (MLA-Berhampur). It would be the sixth festival in the state to get the status, he said.
Other government festivals are 'Dhanu Yatra' of Bargarh, 'Parab' of Koraput, 'Konark Festival', 'Mukteswar' and 'Rajarani Utsav' in Bhubaneswar.
