Chief Minister Raghubar Das said on Thursday Jharkhand will be developed into tourism hub in the next five years. Das, laying the foundation stone for the highest flag of the nation at the height of 81 meters in the premises of Pahari Mandir on Thursday also announced that Pahari Mandir will be rejuvenated and developed into an international, religious as well as cultural tourism spot.
“Pahari Mandir of Ranchi is crucial from religious as well as cultural point of view and every body’s help is required for the rejuvenation of the temple,” the CM said. Efforts are being made so that people should flock into Jharkhand for its natural beauty, he added.
According to Das, the Tourism department has also been directed to develop Patratu Dam on the lines of Marine Drive. Underlining the possibilities of tourism in the state, CM added that Jharkhand should not only be known as a mining belt rather it should also be promoted for its panoramic beauty.
Wishing for Vishwakarma Pooja and Ganesh Chaturthi together to the people of Jharkhand, Das said that it was a rare occasion that both the festivals were being celebrated on the same day.
CM further added that India could not be developed into an economic Super Power without developing Jharkhand.
Referring to the State Government’s commitment to rejuvenate the religious and tourist places, Das added that Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar was also being developed on the lines of Tirupati temple and informed that Rs. 3.5 crore has been approved for the development of Rajrappa Temple in addition to funds of Rs 50 lakh given by Central Coalfields limited under Corporate Social Responsibility Project. Similarly, he said, “Bhadrakali temple at Itkhori is also being developed into a tourist spot as it has several antiquities related to Buddhism and Jainism. The Government plans to connect it to Buddh and Jain Circuit so that people coming to Bodh Gaya should also visit Itkhori.”
In addition to that, Aanjandham located in Gumla was also in the pipeline. Efforts were also being made to connect Bolepur, Shantiniketan and Tarapeeth to Maluti in Dumka. Urban Development Minister C. P. Singh on the other hand, assured that Urban Development Department will do everything possible for the development of Pahari Mandir. “Ranchi Municipal Corporation has been directed to get the vicinity of the temple cleaned on daily basis and I hope that the temple will be developed into a major tourist attraction with the highest flag post in the nation,” said Singh.
Pahari Mandir Management Committee President Ranchi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Manoj Kumar said that the temple building will be eco-friendly and the vicinity will be illuminated with solar lights. “Battery operated rickshaws will be provided to the pilgrims for going up to the temple and a lift will also be installed,” said the DC.
Highest flag post in the Country of 81 meters is being constructed at Pahari Mandir premises in Ranchi costing Rs 1 crore, beating the existing flag-post at the height of 71 meters located at the Connaught Place in New Delhi.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Jharkhand on December 27, efforts are being made to get his consent for getting the flag post inaugurated by him, said Treasurer of Pahari Mandir Vikas Samiti Hari Jalan. He added, the pole will be constructed on the patterns of high-mast light while the flag will go up and down through motorized wires. In addition to that, a 201 meter flag post is also being constructed at the base of Pahari Mandir to beat the world record of 170 meter flagpole by Jeddah municipality to mark the country's 84th National Day. The pole is 170 meters high, while the flag is 49.5 meters long, 33 meters wide, 1,635 square meters and weighs 570 kg.
Ranchi MP Ramtahal Choudhary, MlA Jitu Charan Ram, Ranchi Mayor Asha lakra, Tourism Secretary Avinash Kumar, Secretary Building Construction K K Soan, was also present at the occasion.