Pilgrim centre Melkote to get facelift soon

Chief minister’s joint secretary Nandakumar said the government has sanctioned Rs 12 crore special fund for development of Melkote, a popular pilgrimage centre in south India. As part of this, Rs 2 crore has been released in the first phase.

Speaking at the Melkote Development Committee meeting at Cultural Research Centre here on Tuesday, he suggested funds should be utilised and steps should be taken to provide basic amenities before the next Vairamudi utsav.

Though the place is a popular religious centre, pilgrims face problems due to lack of basic amenities. A blue print is being prepared for the works to be taken up by various departments.

Officials are directed to submit necessary details at a future meeting and discuss the same with the public and complete the works by March end.

Disclosing the funds allotted to various projects, Nandakumar said Rs 82 lakh is allotted to re-lay the steps at Yoganarasimhaswamy hill and Rs 3.57 lakh for water supply, Rs 81 lakh for construction of Cheluva Daivi vana, Rs 135 lakh for construction of Rajagopura, Rs three lakh for preparing CDs, Rs 103 lakh for reconstruction of commercial complex and pond, Rs  62 lakh for a new chariot for lord Cheluvarayaswamy, Rs 450 lakh for water supply and underground drain in the town, Rs 14 lakh for ‘teppa’, Rs 10 lakh for repair of Ramanuja temple and Rs 30 lakh has been allotted for construction of quarters for the executive officer.

Donation

Melkote Development Committee president Ravi Narayan is donating Rs 65 lakh for the development of the temple. The fund will be utilised for silver covering for the doors of the temple and purchase four vehicles, he said.

MLA C S Puttaraju said if a dining hall was constructed devotees would donate for free food throughout the year. He said the projects should be completed before the jatra.

Deputy commissioner C P Jaffer, members Surendra Koulagi, Attavara Ramadas, Thylur Venkatakrishna, gram panchayat president Manimurugan, Muzrai assistant Ramu, temple officer Dhanalakshmi, tahsildar Shivanandamurthy and others participated.