Mangaluru: Several development projects, including a commercial complex, auditorium, VIP lounge, VIP rooms, washrooms, dormitory and expansion of the dining hall, will soon be taken up at Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said on Tuesday after chairing a review meeting.The committee has decided to lay 30mm-thick granite in the temple courtyard. Rai said granite for the courtyard, hall and washrooms is estimated to cost around Rs 3.5 crore. He added that industrialists in Bengaluru have promised to contribute Rs 3 crore towards the project.The temple will construct six rooms for priests and VIPs, a special VIP lounge, a shelter for the temple chariot, additional facilities for the dining hall, a hall for devotees and new toilets. Tenders for the works will be invited within 10 days, and the projects will not be awarded to a single contractor, he said.According to Rai, industrialists have also been requested to sponsor the proposed VIP lounge, estimated at Rs 50 lakh. Donors may similarly sponsor VIP rooms and washrooms, also expected to cost about Rs 50 lakh. The temple plans to upgrade the anna chatra with additional infrastructure so that up to 25,000 devotees can be served anna prasada at a time. All works will be taken up simultaneously and completed within a year, he said.Rai also announced that he would earmark Rs 10 crore from his government allocation for a commercial complex and has sought an additional Rs 5 crore from the chief minister. The project is expected to cost Rs 15 crore.The temple also plans to build a 60-room dormitory for devotees and undertake other projects, including improving the road leading to the temple and developing the temple lake.Appealing to devotees not to believe “baseless allegations”, Rai said people were free to question the committee directly if they found any shortcomings.
