Bhubaneswar, February 17: The Odisha Govternmet on Wednesday announced Samaleswari Temple Area Management & Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) plan for peripheral development of Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, to offer divine experience to tourists and devotees.
The Draft Proposal prepared by the Works Department for the purpose was presented before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today for approval.
The project will be carried out under Mo Sarkar 5T and will focus on beautification of temple & economic development of local people.
As part of the project, Rs 200 crore will be spent during 2021-22 to develop 108 acres of land in and around the Maa Samaleswari Temple. The project will include development of amenities for devotees inside the 12 acre temple premises and development of four tall heritage welcome gates.
The plan also includes development of heritage corridor, tourist amenities, road connecting the temple to river bank, decks for Alati, riverfront and lake shore. It also includes food parks, Architecture Park and an open air theatre, vending arrangement for sale of various souvenirs.
Other works include widening of road from railway station to north side of temple and reorganisation of the cemetery. A package is being prepared for rehabilitation of people affected by the scheme. People can send feedback on the plan by March 15 to development.samalei@gmail.com.
