Hyderabad: The endowment department, which had promised to develop all 38 major temples along banks of the Krishna in Mahbubnagar district in time for the upcoming Krishna Pushkarams, has sanctioned funds for only 22 temples. The remaining 16, are in need of urgent repair too.
Mahbubnagar district has 17 existing ghats and the government is constructing 35 new ghats which link famous temples and shrines. The district administration had sought Rs 417 crore for the construction of ghats, repair and beautification of the existing 38 temples and 19 other temples which have connectivity to Pushkar ghats. But, the government has sanctioned only Rs 273 crore.
Hopes for the development of the other temples have dried up due to insufficient funds. The funds released to repairs of 22 temples are also not sufficient as the government sanctioned Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to several temples based pilgrim arrival estimates during Pushkarams.
The Alampur temple, which is one among the 18 shakti peetas, needs about Rs 50 lakh development work. But, the district administration has sanctioned only Rs 20 lakh which is only sufficient for flooring and parking lot development.
The Endowment Department also did not consider famous temples like Kurumurthy Swamy temple, Manyamkonda, Panchdevpad temple and others.
Endowment assistant commissioner G. Krishna said the department was expecting funds for the repair of remaining temples soon.
“So far the state government has sanctioned Rs 2.46 crore in funds for the 22 temples. We have started work and whenever funds will be sanctioned for other temples, we shall take up repair and beautification works. We have sent a proposal to repair 26 more temples at an estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh,” he said.
