Kanwar yatra starts, but Dudheswarnath temple makeover still not over

Time of India

19 hours ago

Ghaziabad: The renovation work at Dudheswarnath temple in Ghaziabad missed its June 30 deadline even as preparations continued for the kanwar yatra that begun on July 11.
Located in the heart of the city, the temple sees a surge in devotees, especially during the month of Sawan.
The project, which is part of a Rs 5.5-crore temple corridor being developed along the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex in Varanasi, was expected to be completed before the pilgrimage season started.
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The renovation work started in March. The work involves laying sandstone flooring in the complex, constructing a multipurpose hall, installing murals, building toilet blocks for pilgrims, placing seating benches and setting up facade lighting to enhance the temple's appearance.
JK Sharma, executive engineer of Uttar Pradesh Projects Corporation Ltd , which is carrying out the project, said efforts were being made to ensure that the major components of the renovation are finished before Shivratri on July 23. "While we could not meet the June 30 deadline, the pace of work has picked up. We are confident the temple will be fully ready before Shivratri," Sharma told TOI.
During a spot visit at the temple, the renovation work seemed far from complete, with raw material stacked across the temple premises taking up walking space.
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In such a scenario, crowd management could be a huge task if the work is not completed on time.
District magistrate Deepak Meena told TOI a show-cause notice has been issued to the construction firm.
"We have asked the firm the reason for the delay and missing the deadline. We have instructed them to at least complete the renovation of the temple gate before the crowd starts swelling at the temple on account of the upcoming Shivratri.
If it is not completed on time, the construction material will be removed and a way for the crowd will be made and the rest of the work can be completed after the Sawan month ends,"he said.
Despite repeated instructions from the district magistrate to complete the renovation work by the end of June, several components of the project remain unfinished, officials said.
The temple holds significance not just for kanwar pilgrims but also for locals, as a majority of devotees offer 'jal' to Lord Shiva at this temple on Shivratri, due to which a crowd counting into thousands gathers here.
The corridor is part of a broader plan to transform Dudheswarnath temple into a major spiritual and cultural hub, capable of handling the large footfall during kanwar yatra and other religious festivals.With the kanwar yatra approaching, officials said interim arrangement were being made to ensure devotees are not inconvenienced. However, concerns remain about whether the pending work will affect the flow of pilgrims during the yatra.