This story is from February 18, 2019

Ringing in change at Delhi's Kalkaji temple complex

Ringing in change at Delhi's Kalkaji temple complex
Redevelopment includes erection of ornamental gates, redesign of the pathways and parking area(File Photo)
NEW DELHI: The blueprint for redevelopment of the Kalkaji temple complex has been cleared by South Delhi Municipal Corporation and includes measures to decongest the area, clear the sanctum of clutter and give a cohesive identity to the complex that currently comprises dharamshalas, hutment and heavily encroached pavements. The proposals will now be sent to the temple management and pujaris for their consent, a corporation official said.
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Yogesh Sharma, consultant for the project, said the redevelopment also includes the erection of ornamental gates, redesign of the pathways, greening, addition of a parking area and installation of public utilities for devotees.
“A fort-like wall with a green, contoured embankment abutting Outer Ring Road will give it its identifying boundary,” he added.
An SDMC official said a study had established that the temple had “no face”, its various entrances obscured by the blue banners of MLAs and area councillors. To enhance the majesty of the ancient shrine, the plan proposes twin domed pre-fabricated ornamental gates in red and gold. The two main corridors will be similarly adorned with shikhars and perforated jaalis to let in natural light.
Noting that haphazard parking of buses arriving from other states affected the easy circulation of vehicles, the parking next to the Delhi Metro station will be revamped to create marked spaces for 2-wheelers, 60 cars, 12 buses and rest areas for drivers. “As in Vaishno Devi, the parking will also have amenities like washrooms and bathing areas for outstation devotees who arrive after travelling for several days,” the SDMC official said. “We have made provisions for a landscaped garden with water channels where bhojnalaya and bhandara sites will be demarcated.”

Relocating the temple accessories stalls, the primary cause for congestion in complex, is perhaps the most challenging aspect of the temple revamp. These shops will be integrated with the pillars of the corridors. Many shops at the entrance on Outer Ring Road will be relocated. “Modular stalls will replace the existing haphazardly placed stalls. Since there will common space for each cluster of 15 shops, buyers will not obstruct the paths,” the official explained.
Another intervention will be the removal of steps and installing a ramp instead. In case of a blaze, fire tenders are unable to reach the temple at the moment, but the ramp will allow them easy access to the complex. There is a large barren plot near the Lotus Temple that belongs to Kalkaji Mandir. This will become a landscaped park with flowing water channels and sand pits for kids.
Since most of the project interventions are going to use pre-fabricated materials that will be assembled quickly, once the temple authorities give the go-ahead, the redevelopment exercise may not take much time, said optimistic civic officials.
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