New Delhi. Chhattisgarh Tourism Minister Brijmohan Agrawal today met Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy here and sought sanction of Rs 1965 lakh from the Union budget for conservation and development work of the protected monuments, remains, ancient sites and museums of Chhattisgarh and conduct of other archaeological activities.
He informed him that there are a total of 63 state protected monuments in Chhattisgarh. The state government is continuously making efforts to preserve many more monuments/antiquities through excavation and survey and to establish and develop museums to preserve and display regional history and culture.
During the meeting at his office here, Agrawal also submitted various proposals by the state government seeking sanction of funds from the Union budget to the union minister.
He said that the Chhattisgarh government will develop five ‘Shaktipeeths’ in the state -- Kudargarh of Surajpur, Chandrahasini Temple of Chandrapur, Mahamaya Temple of Ratanpur, Bamleshwari Temple of Dongargarh in Rajnandgaon district and Daneshwari Devi in Dantewada -- on the lines of char dham Yatra as Shaktipeeths tourism circuit.
He urged the union minister to include Shaktipeeths tourism circuit in the tourism ministry project and sanction Rs 112.16 crore for the renovation, infrastructure development and beautification of these Shaktipeeths.
Agrawal also sought approval of Rs 75 crores for development of corridor at Rajiv Lochan temple premises in Rajim on the lines of Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain and Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and other tourism work. He informed that the temple of lord Vishnu is 3000 years old and every year lakhs of devotees visit the temple.
He also requested the union minister to sanction Rs 50 crores for construction of convention centre at “Purkhauti Muktangan” in Naya Raipur. He informed the Union minister that to promote the art and culture of Chhattisgarh, the then President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had inaugurated Purkhauti Muktangan in 2006. The need for a convention center has been felt for a long time to establish communication with folk artists and guests coming from India and abroad.
He also requested approval of development works of Maa Bageshwari Temple, Kudargarh, Sirpur under Prashad Yojana and to selection of PDMC (Project Development and Management Consultant) for Jagdalpur and Bilaspur destination selected under Swadesh Darshan Yojana 2.0 and sanction of funds for implementation. He also urged the minister to give necessary instructions to the concerned officials.
Agrawal also invited the Union Minister to come to Chhattisgarh for the inauguration program of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Prashad Yojana. On which, he said that he will come to Chhattisgarh after 15 February. The Union Minister has assured positive initiatives on various proposals.
