GUWAHATI, Oct 25 � With a view to provide a major facelift to the world famous Kamakhya Temple, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 5 crore, which will be spent for undertaking major development activities in and around the shrine.
Senior Tourism officials told The Assam Tribune that the amount has been sanctioned under provisions of the 13th Finance Commission and is expected to be received by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) by next month.
�The amount has already been sanctioned. Once the money is received from the Centre, which we expect by November, we will immediately float tender for the works,� said a senior ATDC official.
He said the project will involve building of a new 100-room dormitory, additional parking spaces, lighting, drinking water, toilet, rain-shelters, drainage and other infrastructure facility for the benefit of the devotees and the tourists who visit the Kamakhya Temple in large numbers every day.
ATDC will undertake the entire project. The plan is to complete the development work by the end of 2015.
The official added that while some work has been carried out with regard to improving the road and transportation to and from the temple, there were issues related to lodging and other facilities where much more was desired.
�The new facilities will also be a sort of additional benefit for the devotees during the annual Ambubachi Mela when lakhs flock to the shrine from across the globe. Kamakhya Temple is not only a major religious centre, but also one of the hottest attractions for tourists visiting this part of the country and our intention is to ensure that the visitors are able to enjoy world-class facilities,� he said.
