Sri Ram Tirath Temple should be built by Sept 15: Parkash Singh Badal

Chandigarh, Apr 26: Construction of Sri Ram Tirath Temple and Panorama Complex, where Valmiki is believed to have written Ramayana, should be completed by September 15, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said today.

Presiding over a review meeting to monitor the ongoing construction work of the temple in Amritsar, Badal underscored the need for expediting it in a time-bound manner and said it should be done by September 15.

He said the temple-cum-panorama centre is being constructed at Sri Valmiki Tirath in Amritsar at a cost of Rs 180 crore. Valmiki is believed to have written Ramayana there.

Badal said it is a matter of great pride and honour for the state government to offer tributes to Valmiki by developing this site for the devotees coming from every nook and corner.

He also gave his nod for the installation of an eight-feet- high gold-plated idol of Valmiki in the sanctum sanctorum. A committee under the chairmanship of Amritsar Deputy Commissioner will be constituted for the management and maintenance of the complex.

The Chief Minister also said the foundation stone of Baba Jeevan Singh Memorial at Anandpur Sahib will be laid in June and its construction will be completed by October this year.

He said the memorial will be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore and will be a befitting tribute to Sikh martyr Baba Jeevan Singh, who had brought back the head of Guru Teg Bahadur from Chandni Chowk in Delhi to Anandpur Sahib. Assembly polls in Punjab are due next year.

PTI