Patiala, July 17: Tejinder Mehta visited One of Patiala’s most revered landmarks, the historic Shri Kali Mata Temple, is set for a major transformation, with the ongoing ₹80-crore renovation project targeted for completion by September 30.
Punjab Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Anurag Verma, IAS, on Friday carried out an extensive review of the project along with District Planning Board Chairman and Aam Aadmi Party District President Tejinder Mehta. The two spent nearly three hours at the temple, reviewing the work in detail with senior officials and examining different components of the ambitious project.
For the people of Patiala, the renovation is significant not merely because of its scale. Shri Kali Mata Temple is deeply connected with the religious and cultural identity of the city and attracts a large number of devotees from Patiala and beyond every day.
Before inspecting the site, Anurag Verma chaired a detailed review meeting in the temple complex. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Anuprita Johal, PWD official Piyush Goyal, Divisional Forest Officer Satinder Singh, SDM Gurdev Dhamm, Temple Management Committee member Kamal Bansal, CA Ajay Alipuria, social worker Bhagwan Dass Juneja and other officials and prominent citizens attended the meeting.
During the discussions and subsequent inspection, Tejinder Mehta remained closely involved in reviewing the project and discussing its progress with the administration. With the temple being an important part of Patiala’s identity, the focus remained on completing the work without compromising either its religious character or the convenience of devotees.
Speaking to mediapersons, Anurag Verma said that a substantial amount had accumulated in the temple’s donation box, or Golak, and the Punjab Government had empowered the temple committee to utilise these funds for the development and renovation of the shrine.
The project is expected to significantly change the experience of devotees visiting the temple. A grand new main entrance is being constructed on the side of the Lord Ganesha idol, modern musical fountains are being installed and the interiors are being redesigned under the supervision of renowned architects.
According to Verma, nearly 50 per cent of the work has already been completed.
Expressing satisfaction over both the pace and quality of construction, the Additional Chief Secretary said the project was progressing according to schedule and was expected to be completed by September 30. He emphasised that a project associated with the faith of such a large number of devotees must be completed with a shared sense of responsibility.
Tejinder Mehta said Shri Kali Mata Temple belongs to the collective heritage and emotions of Patiala and its development must reflect the importance the shrine holds for generations of devotees.
He said the effort was not limited to beautification alone but was also aimed at providing better facilities and a more organised and comfortable experience to the thousands of people who visit the temple.
Mehta said that under the vision of Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, efforts were being made to preserve Punjab’s religious and historical heritage while improving facilities at places of public importance.
Following the meeting, Anurag Verma and Tejinder Mehta moved across the temple complex for nearly three hours, examining the ongoing works and discussing different aspects of the project with officials. Necessary directions were issued to maintain construction standards and ensure that the September 30 deadline is met.
The extended ground-level review also underlined the increasing involvement of the District Planning Board Chairman in major projects concerning Patiala. Rather than limiting his role to formal meetings, Mehta’s presence throughout the inspection placed him alongside the senior-most administrative officials directly reviewing a project of considerable importance to the city.
