South Delhi Municipal Corporation has already proposed an action plan in this regard, which is waiting for the Standing Committee's approval
Soon, gone will be the days when scores of people in haphazard queues would wait to get a glimpse of the deity while braving nauseous stench emanating from piles of garbage lying nearby. The famous Kalkaji Temple complex in south Delhi is all set to get a makeover.
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has already proposed an action plan in this regard, which is waiting for the Standing Committee's approval.
Kalkaji Temple, devoted to Goddess Kali, is one of the oldest and the most revered temples in India. And yet, the temple is surrounded by unappealing sights. Sewage and mounds of garbage, along with a number of slum clusters right at the entrance, will be the immediate focus of the facelift project.
Talking to DNA, south Corporation Mayor Shyam Sharma, who has floated the proposal, said: "The beautification plan for the temple complex includes facilities such as clean toilets and drinking water facility. The approach roads and surrounding paths will be relaid for smooth movement of vehicles entering the parking area."
He further said the complex will be lit with LED lights and the entrance walls will be beautified using colour tiles. "The main entrance to the temple will be redone. It is a historic place and holds immense cultural and heritage value. The idea is to make the complex appear as a stand out structure in the city," Sharma said. The project will be funded through the Mayor's fund.
"It will take a month to pass the tender for the project. The redevelopment work will take around three months to start," a senior official said. Regular devotees said besides the unhygenic surroundings, other major problems included crowd management and sanitation issues.
"There is no crowd management and poor sanitation is the most disturbing element," said devotee Annu Singh. When queried about the maintenance, temple workers said it was not only the authority's responsibility and the public was equally responsible.
Last year, the corporation had taken similar steps to redevelop the Chhatarpur temple complex.
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