Karnataka - Mysore   

All roads leading to Talakad to be asphalted

— Photo: M.A. Sriram

Preparations: Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development inspecting the infrastructure works in connection with the panchalinga darshana at Talakad on Saturday.

Mysore: All roads leading to Talakad, which is gearing up for panchalinga darshana slated to be held in November, will be asphalted and the Government will spend Rs. 120 crore for various infrastructure projects in connection with the event.

Disclosing this, Mysore district in-charge and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Shobha Karandlaje told presspersons here on Saturday that the quality of highway works connecting to Talakad in T. Narsipura, would be on par with the State Highway roads and pilgrims would be provided civic amenities like drinking water. Emphasis will also be on sanitation in view of large number of pilgrims expected to converge for the occasion.

The panchalinga darshana entails darshan of the five Shiva Lingas — Vaidyeshwara, Pataleshwara, Maruleshwara, Mallikarjuneshwara and Arakeshwara — on a single day during the auspicious period which again depends on configuration of different stars and lasts for a few weeks. The last panchalinga darshana was held in 2006 and the earlier one in 1993.

Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, who inspected the work in progress at Talakad, said the temple town of T. Narsipura will also stand to benefit as the infrastructure facility created would be of permanent nature. The bridge across the Kapila River which connects T. Narsipura with Kollegal will also be repaired, she said. Movement of vehicles on the bridge has been stopped as it is in bad shape and repair work will be taken up soon.

Ms. Karandlaje also held discussions with local community who were highly critical of the previous Governments which, they said, had made similar commitments but failed to implement any of them. Though crores of rupees was spent on the roads and other infrastructure projects, there was nothing concrete as evidence to show that money had been invested at all, said a few people from Talakad.

The local community members led by zilla panchayat member K.C. Lokesh, also drew attention to the menace of sand mining and Ms. Karandlaje urged the Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan to take necessary steps in this connection.

The local people were particular that sand mining be banned at least in the run-up to the panchalinga darshana and a month after its completion and accused the officials of conniving with the sand mining lobby.

Ms. Karandlaje concurred with the views of the local people and said that though the previous Government at the helm of affairs when the previous panchalinga darshana was held in 2006, claimed that it had spent Rs. 40 crore, the road was pathetic. “However, all roads will be ready before the commencement of the panchalinga darshana”, she added.

Mr. Lokesh sought permanent drinking water facility for the local community which would also help the weekend tourists who visit the place.

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