The Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi Hills here will be developed like the one on Tirumala, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for various development works taken up at a cost of Rs. 79.94 crore on Thursday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the number of pilgrims visiting the Chamundeshwari temple from across India and abroad had increased in the last few years.
The temple’s revenue had increased to Rs. 23.68 crore during 2015-16 from the previous year’s Rs. 18 crore, he said, adding that there was scope for the temple to attract more visitors if the facilities and infrastructure were strengthened.
The works launched include the construction of a multi-level parking complex with a capacity to park 600 cars, a commercial complex to house 116 shops on three floors, a toilet block, besides a sheltered queue lane for the benefit of devotees.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also announced the widening of the road leading to the hill-top into a four-lane road by Public Works Department (PWD) at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. The Chief Minister directed Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa to immediately take steps in this regard.
Meanwhile, responding to complaints about drinking water scarcity atop Chamundi Hills, Mr. Siddaramaiah directed Deputy Commissioner, C. Shikha, and Chief Executive Officer of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat, P.A. Gopal, to explore the feasibility and submit a proposal for the construction of a tank near Nandi statue from where water will be pumped to the hill-top at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh.
District in-charge Minister V. Srinivas Prasad emphasised the need to keep environment in mind while taking up development works taken up atop Chamundi Hills, which is an eco-sensitive zone.
