Bhubaneswar, Jul 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday to assess the progress of major temple development projects, including Maa Tarini Temple in Ghatagaon, Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur, and the Ekamra Kshetra heritage zone surrounding the iconic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

The CM emphasized the importance of preserving Odisha’s spiritual heritage while enhancing infrastructure and amenities for devotees. The development of Maa Tarini Temple is being executed in four phases across 59 acres, with a target to complete the beautification and infrastructure work within two and a half years.

Key features include a 200-bed pilgrim inn, a 300-seat lecture hall, a 500-seat prasad dining hall, food plaza, parking facilities, market complex, drainage system, pond restoration, and road upgrades.

Similarly, the Maa Biraja Temple project in Jajpur has commenced in four phases. It includes temple beautification, peripheral development, establishment of Biraja Haat, restoration of Brahma Kund and Hathi Pokhari, and creation of facilities like lecture halls and dharmashalas for pilgrims.

The CM also reviewed the Ekamra Kshetra development plan, focusing on traffic decongestion and improved parking around Lingaraj Temple. He stressed the need to upgrade neglected smaller temples in the vicinity in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to preserve the sanctity and spiritual ambiance of the ancient site.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to CM Saswata Mishra, Works Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh, and senior engineers and officials from the Works Department.

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