Kakatpur: A newly-built toilet complex near Mangala temple here is yet to be opened for devotees even though the construction work for the project was completed at least eight months ago.
Locals and the servitors of the shrine urged the district administration to take immediate steps to open the toilet complex for devotees.
Hundreds of devotees from across the state usually visit Mangala temple, one of the famous Shakti shrines in the state. Besides, tourists coming to Puri, Konark Sun Temple and Pir Jahania beach often visit Mangala shrine.
However, the devotees face inconvenience in the absence of public toilets near the temple.
The locals as well as the temple servitors had raised the issue with the Centre and the state government and sought proper infrastructure for devotees.
Accepting the plea, the Union Tourism Ministry had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for construction of a toilet complex near Mangala temple.
The private contractor engaged to implement the project completed the construction work at least eight months ago. However, the authorities concerned are yet to take any step to open the complex for devotees and tourists.
“The authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to the problems of devotees visiting Mangala shrine. The district Collector should look into issues related to the toilet complex at the earliest,” said a servitor.
Mangala temple executive officer Sumanta Kumar Mohanty said the private contractor has not handed over the toilet complex to the shrine management. “We would take necessary steps to manage the toilet complex once they hand it over to us,” Mohanty added.
