Govt to upgrade Baba Balaknath Temple infra: CM
Shimla, July 20
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that the state government had decided to enhance and upgrade infrastructure at Baba Balaknath Temple at Deothsidh in Hamirpur, including set up a ropeway at a cost of Rs 65 crore.
He said that the temple had been recognised as one of the most sacred and ancient pilgrimage places and its infrastructure upgrade would boost religious tourism in the area. “To ease congestion and ensure smooth and safe movement of pilgrims, the state government has approved the installation of a ropeway at the temple,” he added.
Edu society donates Rs 1.54 cr to CM fund
- The president of Ved Vihar Public School Educational Society, KS Shrikot, presented a cheque for Rs 1.54 crore to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu towards the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Kosh on Saturday
- Besides, the society also provided 110 benches, 16 wooden boxes, 34 armless chairs, 50 wooden chairs with writing arms, three musical instruments and several books on various subjects to be donated to educational institutions
- Sukhu expressed gratitude to the society for its generous contribution
Sukhu said that the ropeway would be constructed at a cost of Rs 65 crore and it would connect the taxi parking area to the temple. “The temple located at the hilltop witnesses major congestion, particularly during Navratras and other auspicious days, often resulting in inconvenience to pilgrims. The ropeway will help mitigate this problem and facilitate visitors,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the development of the ropeway would significantly enhance the experiences of the pilgrims, who would be ensured of safety and easy accessibility to the temple. “At present, there is one road connecting the taxi parking area to the temple but the ropeway will provide pilgrims with an alternative to reach the shrine,” he added. This project is also expected to create employment and self-employment opportunities for local people, thereby bolstering the local economy.
He said that the temple was an important shrine that attracted thousands of pilgrims from across north India. “This temple serves as a spiritual centre and also as a hub of cultural and natural exploration in Himachal Pradesh. The temple’s serene environment combined with religious fervour makes it a unique destination for tourists and pilgrims alike,” he added.
Sukhu said that the government had accorded top priority to boosting tourism and the economy of the state, as thousands of families were directly or indirectly associated with the sector. He added that the government had taken significant steps to ramp up infrastructure to make the experience of tourists memorable.
He said that besides religious tourism, the government was actively focusing on adventure tourism, including water sports activities, given many reservoirs in the state and encouraging paragliding activities. The government had set a target to increase tourist count to five crore per annum in the near future.
Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to grant legal rights to over 6,000 orphans by adopting them as the ‘Children of the State’.
