Himachal Pradesh Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri Pushes for Fast-Track Chintpurni Temple Projects

February 28, 2026

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed strong displeasure over the unnecessary delays in the construction of the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple building and beautification work. At a meeting of the District Public Grievance Redressal Committee on Friday, he gave clear instructions to officials to complete all work within the stipulated timeframe.

The Deputy Chief Minister questioned why the Chintpurni Temple was being delayed when grand development was possible at religious sites like Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Vrindavan Dham. He added that the lack of commencement of work despite adequate funding was unacceptable. Rs 56 crore is available under the Union Tourism Ministry’s Prasad Scheme and Rs 75 crore from the district administration, yet the expected progress is lacking.

Instructions to learn from the temples of South India

Mukesh Agnihotri directed the district administration to send a team to study the management and development models of major temples in South India, so that modern facilities can be implemented in the Chintpurni temple by learning from the systems there.

He directed to strengthen the facilities like selfie points in the temple premises and route, selfie point with replica of the temple at Amb-Andaura railway station, CCTV cameras, adequate lighting, clean toilets and rain shelter.

Emphasis on monitoring of development projects

The Deputy Chief Minister directed that effective monitoring of ongoing development projects in Una district be ensured. He stated that any laxity would not be tolerated. Projects requiring special expediting should be regularly reviewed under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. Monthly departmental meetings should be held, and officials should visit the field to directly monitor work.

Rs 100 crore Chintpurni ropeway project to start soon

Mukesh Agnihotri directed the speedy completion of the approximately 100 crore rupee ropeway project related to the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple. He said that this project will not only provide convenience to devotees but will also strengthen the local economy. He urged the administration, public representatives, and local people to complete this work on a priority basis in coordination with the government.

A new ropeway will be built in Pandoga at a cost of Rs 12 crore.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that a ropeway construction project costing approximately Rs 12 crore has been approved for the Vankhandi Mata Temple in Pandoga, Haroli Assembly constituency. The ropeway will be built from the Hoshiarpur border to Pandoga. He said that the tender process has begun, and the target is to complete and dedicate the project to the public by October.

Priority should be given to bridge construction works

Mukesh Agnihotri said that the completion of billions of rupees worth of road and bridge projects in the district has improved connectivity, but now it must be ensured that no missing links remain. He directed regular monitoring and timely completion of the five major bridges under construction. He directed that a draft project be prepared for the construction of a permanent bridge in place of the damaged bridge at Rampur on the Una-Santoshgarh road and that it be included in the upcoming budget.

He also directed to monitor the progress of bridges on Lathiani-Mandali, Pandoga-Tyuri, Loharili-Churdu and Swan river connecting Amb railway station to Gagret, so that the connectivity of the district remains uninterrupted.