Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh Tourism and Culture Minister Brijmohan Agarwal raised a demand for central assistance in the development of various heritage sites of the state before Union Tourism Minister  G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday at New Delhi.

Discussing the possibilities of tourism development of Chhattisgarh, he urged to approve funds from the Union Budget for the conservation and development of the historical heritage of Chhattisgarh. He sought cooperation from the Centre for connecting and developing the five Shaktipeeths of the state under the Shaktipeeth Project, construction of Rajim Corridor and construction of a convention centre at Purkhauti Muktangan.

Culture Minister Brijmohan Agarwal said that at present there are a total of 63 state protected monuments in Chhattisgarh. A proposal amounting to Rs 1,965 lakh has been prepared for conducting archaeological activities including maintenance and development work of protected monuments, remains, antiquities and museums. He requested approval from the Union Budget.

Minister expressed the need for development, development works and renovation of the Rajim temple complex like the grand corridor built in Ujjain and Kashi. He demanded from the Union Minister to approve an amount of Rs 75 crore for making a corridor to develop the Rajim temple complex in a grand, attractive and dignified manner.

He said that on the lines of Char Dham, important religious faith centres of Chhattisgarh will be developed under the Shaktipeeth project. Tourist facilities will be developed in a phased manner in the five Shaktipeeths of Chhattisgarh, Kudargarh in Surajpur, Chandrahasini Temple in Chandrapur, Mahamaya Temple in Ratanpur, Bamleshwari Temple in Dongargarh and Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada. He urged for approval by including it in the plan of the Ministry of Tourism.

Agarwal said that in 2006, the then President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had inaugurated Purkhauti Muktangan. The need for a convention centre has been felt for a long time to establish communication with folk artists and guests coming from India and abroad. He requested an amount of Rs 50 crore for it.

He sought approval of the development works of Maa Bageshwari Temple, Kudargarh, Sirpur under Prasad Scheme and PDMC for Jagdalpur and Bilaspur destinations selected under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0. (Project Development and Management Consultant) and requested for approval of funds for implementation.

He also extended an invitation to the Union Minister to come to Chhattisgarh for the inauguration program of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Prasad Yojana, on which he agreed to come to Chhattisgarh after February 15th.