Kalighat temple makeover soon

KOLKATA: Renovation of the Kalighattemple, the Adi Ganga flowing by it and the surrounding areas by an organisationof non-resident Bengalis is expected to begin on October 1.Theorganisation, known as Boston Pledge, will execute the Rs 62-crore projectthrough a number of agencies. The final clearance has already been received fromthe state government. A no-objection certificate will be issued soon, tourismminister Dinesh Dakua revealed on Wednesday."The irrigationdepartment has been entrusted with the task of cleaning up and dredging the AdiGanga. The approach roads to the temple, will be repaired by the KMDA and KMC.Permanent structures will also be constructed in place of the temporary shedsused by vendors and priests," Dakua said.Boston Pledge, which hascollected contributions for the purpose will also construct a guest house ofinternational standards, with car parking facilities near the temple. Once theAdi Ganga is dredged and cleaned up, the state tourism ministry hopes to connectKalighat to Belur and Dakshineswar via Hooghly river."Once the AdiGanga becomes navigable, we will connect Kalighat, Belur and Dakshineswar. Somesandbars near Dakshines-war will have to be removed. The Kolkata Port Trust isworking on that. We have also written to the Centre about clearing the sandbarnear Gandhighat in Barrackpore," the minister said.