In a bid to give a facelift to the famous Panchalingeswar temple in Nilgiri block and ensure safety of the tourists, the district administration has chalked out a plan. District Collector K Sudharshan Chakraverthy recently held a meeting with the officials of tourism and other concerned departments, besides elected representatives.
It may be noted that recently a family of Jajpur who had come to Panchalingeswar was assaulted by a group after a dispute broke out over parking fees. The temple while located in the top of Swarnachuda hill, devotees climb to the temple through stairs after parking their vehicles at the foot.
Besides, every year hundreds of picnickers throng the place mainly during winter season both for visiting Panchalingeswar temple as well as for picnic.
Chakraverthy besides stressing on regular and more effective police patrolling also emphasized on establishing a temporary beat house in the tourist season. More importantly, he said the parking fee(ticket) would be valid for 24 hour . There shouldn’t be any confusion and controversies over the fees and validity of period. The parking stand managers and workers would not misbehave or harass tourists on the parking controversies, he suggested.
He further directed to renovate the inspection bungalow and emphasized on cleanliness of the patches where picnickers congregate.
Other facilities including supply of adequate drinking water , a 33 KV structure and construction of a new market complex were the other priorities discussed.