Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal launched projects worth Rs 75 crore on Thursday to revamp the historic Shri Kali Mata Temple in Patiala.
Addressing a gathering at the temple, Kejriwal stated that it was a privilege for the state government to initiate projects of such public importance, lamenting that previous administrations had neglected these works. He highlighted the temple's significance, noting that approximately 10,000 devotees visit daily, with numbers rising to 40,000 on Saturdays and nearly one lakh during the Navratri festival.
Several key initiatives are part of the facelift project:
- Aam Aadmi Clinic: An Aam Aadmi Clinic is being established within the temple complex at a cost of Rs 25 lakh to provide medical assistance to local residents and visiting devotees.
- Light and Sound Show: To enhance the spiritual and aesthetic appeal of the temple, a light and sound show, modeled after those at major pilgrimage sites, will be organized near the pond at a cost of ₹6.78 crore. Tenders for this project have already been issued.
- Lift Installation: A lift is being installed in the newly constructed building at a cost of Rs 15.11 lakh.
- Clean Water for Temple Pond: Work is underway to ensure clean water for the temple pond from the Bhakra Canal, with an approved amount of Rs 1.15 crore for the project.
- Upgraded Sewage and Drainage: The temple's existing sewage system and rainwater drainage network are being upgraded and replaced at a cost of Rs 49.06 lakh.
Kejriwal emphasized that the temple complex is both spiritually significant and architecturally unique, blending centuries-old traditions with modern infrastructure.
In related news, the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has initiated several other projects aimed at public welfare and infrastructure development. These include upgrading and strengthening 10,778 kilometers of roads across rural areas, providing economic support to widows and destitute women, and upgrading the state's education system under the Sikhya Kranti program. The government has also enforced a three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP)—to eradicate drugs from the state.
