RS 41 CRORE PROJECT FOR WORLD FAMOUS SUN TEMPLE AT KONARK
Sun Temple at Konark (File/Express)
Amid widespread apprehension over the safety of world famous Sun Temple at Konark, an ambitious Rs 41 crore project was unveiled today for peripheral development and beautification around the architectural marvel to attract more tourists.
Indian Oil Foundation (IOF), a non-profit trust of Indian Oil Corporation would spend Rs 36 crore for peripheral development and Archaeological Survey of India would provide Rs five crore for development of site museum at Konark.
Laying the foundation stone for the project, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister M Veerappa Moily said development of tourist facilities by IOF in collaboration with ASI and National Culture Fund of ministry of Culture would be completed within 18 months by February 2015.
"We will not meddle with its architectural structure. We will preserve, develop and protect it for the posterity", Moily said, adding that the endeavour would reach its desired completion with support of Odisha government and people.
Seeking cooperation of the local people in the endeavour, Moily said without their participation nothing could move forward.
"Konark is a famous destination in Odisha. We should not look at it only for future domestic tourism but international tourism by involving local people", he said.
Stating that adoption of such projects by IOF, ASI and NCF was aimed at restoring and developing cultural heritage of the country, the minister said this would also boost tourism and generate revenue and means of employment.
Other places of heritage being taken for development included Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh, Warangal Fort in Andhra Pradesh, Vaishali City in Bihar, Bhoganandishwara temple and Devanahali Fort in Karnataka and Daulatabad fort in Maharashtra.
NEWS COURTESY: THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS DATED JULY 29, 2013