Civic body’s temple upgrade plan to cost Rs 1.86 crore

The corporation’s works committee chairperson,Ravinder Gupta,said: “The temple is right on the edge of the footpath and there are several old buildings surrounding it. Since many people congregate there,the area and the buildings have to be beautified. We toured the area and decided to redevelop it.”

The corporation said the footpath and the temple walls would be relaid with granite stones. The redevelopment project is likely to begin by December.

“Hundreds of people go to the temple and risk their lives in the absence of a good,wide footpath. Many people were seen walking on the road,which is extremely dangerous because of the high volume of traffic,” Gupta said.

Regarding the potholes,Gupta said the corporation has no jurisdiction over the road since it has been transferred to the PWD. “It is the PWD’s duty to repair the road and prevent waterlogging during monsoon,” he said.

He said the BJP-led civic agency decided to beautify the area considering the temple’s heritage. Other historical sites such as Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk would also be developed and an estimated budget of Rs 200 crore has already been earmarked for these.