Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil has urged the Union government to provide rail connectivity to Saundatti Yallamma temple.
There is a need to lay only around 70 km of railway line to connect it to the rail grid. The Union government taking up this project will help devotees in Maharashtra and other States, Mr. Patil said, and added that the State government would pay half the cost of construction if the Railway Ministry began work on it.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the ₹136 crore comprehensive development project of Saundatti Yallamma temple. He thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the fast approval for the project. Mr. Patil said he would release ₹3 crore for the development of a garden near the temple.
Endowment Minister Rudrappa Lamani said the temple would be developed on the model of Tirupati Balaji temple.
MP Suresh Angadi promised help under the Swachh Bharat Mission to take up drinking water and sanitation works on the temple premises. The plans include a permanent drinking water project, the setting up of an aqua duct from the Malaprabha to the temple complex, pumping stations and impounding reservoir and filtering units, all at a cost of ₹31 crore.
A bridge between Saundatti and Hanchinal, that will connect the temple town to other parts of the district and other districts, will cost ₹18 crore. A by pass road and approach roads will cost ₹31 crore. A guesthouse and a wash and toilet complex will cost ₹12 crore.
A host of other works that include parking facilities, setting up helplines for pilgrims, creation of a control room and installation of CCTVs, and others, will cost around ₹40 crore.
