Stepping up efforts for the development of pilgrimage infrastructure in the country, the government has begun another significant project worth over Rs 43 crore in Chhattisgarh to rejuvenate the rich heritage of the state.
Approved under the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) scheme, Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has virtually laid the foundation stone for the development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple project at Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh.
Speaking on the occasion, Patel said the project “Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh” has been approved by the Ministry of Tourism with an estimated cost of Rs 43.33 crore in October 2020.
The project includes infrastructure at a ‘Pilgrimage Activity Centre’ with a Shri Yantra shaped iconic building, steps, sheds, walkway, area illumination, lakefront, parking and other public amenities for the Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple and Pragya Giri, he added.
Patel hoped that the project once executed successfully, will certainly improve the experience of pilgrims coming to the destinations.
The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme fully financed by the Government of India launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
The scheme is aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points (Road, Rail and Water Transport), last mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like Information/ Interpretation Centres, ATM/ Money exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport, area lighting and illumination with renewable sources of energy, parking, drinking water, toilets, cloak room, waiting rooms, first aid centres, craft bazaars /haats/ souvenir shops/ cafeteria, rain shelters, telecom facilities, internet connectivity etc.
Till now, 13 projects have been successfully completed under the PRASHAD Scheme to promote spiritual tourism. The completed projects include two projects each at Somnath, Mathura, Tamil Nadu and Bihar and one project each at Varanasi, Guruvayur and Amaravati (Guntoor), Kamakhya and Amritsar.
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, was also present at the virtual event.
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