Collector orders completion of Ghrishneshwar temple development plan by October-end

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

In view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, district collector Vinay Gowda G.C has directed that all ongoing works under the Shri Ghrishneshwar Development Plan at Ellora be completed by October 31. He was speaking at a review meeting held in Ellora on Saturday morning.

The collector inspected various ongoing development works in the Ghrishneshwar temple premises, including the ‘Bhakta Niwas’ (pilgrims accommodation), modern darshan queue system, shopping complex, function hall, overhead water tank, and the Ellora Caves to temple bypass road. He reviewed the quality of work and instructed the concerned departments to complete the remaining work within the stipulated timeline.

Under the development plan, construction of a function hall is underway in Gut No. 4. However, as the site includes a burial ground of the Matang community and a cemetery of the Muslim community, certain technical issues may arise. Taking note of this, the collector directed sub-divisional officer (SDO) Santosh Gorad and tehsildar Santosh Gutte to immediately identify and provide suitable alternative land for both communities.

The meeting was attended by Public Works Department’s (PWD) superintending engineer S S Bhagat, executive engineer S G Kendre, superintending archaeologist of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI, Aurangabad Circle) Dr Shiv Kumar Bhagat, deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Suvarna Mane, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Aparajita Agnihotri, tehsildar Gutte, Ghrishneshwar Devasthan Trust President Kunal Dandge, along with trustees and senior officials from various departments.