A project will be implemented soon to develop the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev Batadrava Than of Bordowa in Nagaon district of Assam as a place of tourist attraction preserving its history and cultural heritage for an amount of Rs 145 crore.
State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday discussed various aspects of the Than’s development with the Batadrava Than Managing Committee at Assam Administrative Staff College.
The Chief Minister suggested the Committee to start the work for preservation and development of archaeological properties like Kirtan Ghar of Batadrava Than in the initial stage as the State Government has already released Rs 3.05 crore to the Committee for the same.
He also directed the Director of Archaeology Department Dipirekha Kuli to supervise the preservation works by visiting the Batadrava Than and take necessary action in this regard.
Saying that the State Government has been able to free 136 bighas of land of Batadrava Than from encroachment, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to secure the boundary of the Than through the implementation of Rs 145 crore development project.
He also directed for taking steps for securing the boundary walls on four sides in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Public Works Department (PWD).
The Chief Minister also emphasized on curving sculptures depicting the life of Mahapurush Sankardev on the boundary walls so that the pilgrims visiting the Than can feel a sense of oneness with the great life and works of the Vaishnavite saint.
Stressing on the need to ensure world-class quality while implementing the developmental project, Sonowal said that the State Government is committed to develop Batadrava Than as a religious, spiritual and educational hub.
Water Resource Minister Keshab Mahanta, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, MLAs Angoorlata Deka, Rituparna Barua, Bimal Bora, Additional Chief Secretary of I&PR Department, Kumar Sanjay Krishna along with senior journalists were also present in the meeting.