Kashmir's Khir Bhawani shrine to be developed at Rs 16.50 cr

Srinagar, Sep 11 (UNI) The shrine complex of Khir Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district of Kashmir would soon be developed into a major pilgrim centre with expanded facilities for devotees.

The development works in the shrine complex, taken up at a cost of Rs 16.50 crore, were nearing completion.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who visited the shrine complex today, asked the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to complete the development works before April 2008 so that all facilities were in place for pilgrims on next year's festival.

In the past two occasions, he said the pilgrims thronging the shrine during the annual 'mela (festival)' faced several problems due to inadequate facilities.

Mr Azad asked the authorities concerned to complete development works before April 2008 so that on the next Khir Bhawani mela the upgraded and expanded facilities were ready.

The state government has taken up a massive uplift and development programme of the shrine with construction of a spacious prayer hall, yagyashala, langar (community kitchen), yatrika, reception centre, tenement blocks, dormitory, shops, cloak and change rooms, toilet blocks, motorable steel bridge, path, drain, chain link fencing and barricading of the ghat.

The renovation of the holy spring, temple area and the existing dharamshala and construction of marble gate, electric sub-station and a sewerage treatment plant were other components of the development activities taken up in the shrine complex.

The Chief Minster asked the JKPCC to complete on priority the works already taken in hand. The remaining components would be taken subsequently so that the entire project was completed in a time-bound manner, he added.

Mr Azad said the Rs 2.54 crore water supply scheme prepared for the complex should be designed in such a manner that it also caters to the needs of the people of Tulmulla village.

It was decided that a separate water supply line would be laid from Behama to Tulmulla to augment the water supply in the area.

The Chief Minister said projects executing agencies should avoid revising estimates every now and then and while formulating detailed reports must keep all components in mind to avoid cost revision.

He was informed that Rs 13.05 crore had so far been spent on the implementation of integrated development of Khir Bhawani shrine at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district.

Mr Azad was told that Rs 3.8 crore would be required to complete the unfinished works, including construction of a dormitory, cloak and change room, sewerage treatment plant, marble gate, toilet blocks and widening of the existing bridge.

He asked the officers concerned to formulate a detailed project report for the additional works which would be forwarded to the Union Tourism Ministry for funding.

UNI