Minister pulls up officials over poor quality works at Male Mahadeshwara Hills

Chamarajanagar : District in-charge Minister K. Venkatesh has strongly reprimanded officials and contractors after alleged substandard work was detected in ongoing development projects at Male Mahadeshwara Hills, one of Karnataka’s most revered pilgrimage centres.

The minister visited the hill shrine, offered prayers to Lord Mahadeshwara (Madappa), and inspected key infrastructure projects currently underway. These include the construction of a Tirupati-style queue complex, installation of a statue of Madappa, and works at Vajramale.

During his inspection of furniture works at Vajramale, the minister noticed that whitewood was allegedly being used instead of the teakwood specified in the contract. Expressing anger over the deviation, he warned that such lapses would not be tolerated.

“We cannot allow poor-quality work using devotees’ money,” he said, directing the district administration to immediately review the quality of the project and initiate action against erring contractors.

The Tirupati-model queue complex is being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹45 crore to streamline darshan arrangements for devotees. The facility, expected to be completed within a month, will include toilets, drinking water, and seating arrangements to improve pilgrim comfort.

With the number of visitors to the hill shrine steadily increasing, the government has also initiated plans to build a modern Dasoha Bhavan at a cost of ₹90 crore. The tender process is currently underway, and the foundation stone is expected to be laid soon by the Chief Minister, the minister said.

In addition, authorities are preparing a comprehensive plan to scientifically manage and recycle solid waste generated on the hill through private agencies. The move aims to ensure environmental sustainability at the ecologically sensitive pilgrimage site.

While the government has announced ambitious plans to develop Malai Mahadeshwara Hills into a model pilgrimage destination, allegations of substandard construction have sparked concern among devotees. The minister assured that strict monitoring would be enforced to maintain quality and transparency in all ongoing works.

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