Sambalpur, Oct. 15: The tourism department has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for infrastructure development at the famous leaning temple of Huma, located around 25km from here.

District tourist officer Rabindra Kumar Dalei said: "Riverfront development will be carried out near the temple with the help of the sanctioned fund. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation will execute the work."

The tourist body has started preparing the detailed project report for the riverfront development near the temple. The tender for the work will be floated after the report is prepared.

Moreover, some construction and internal electrification works of the temple will also be carried out with the fund, said the district tourist officer.

The Huma temple, located in Maneswar block of the district, is the oldest Shiv temple in the region. It is one among seven identified major tourist destinations in the district.

The leaning structure of the temple, which was constructed during the Chouhan dynasty between 1545 and 1560, attracts thousands of visitors from across the state. Another attraction are the kudo fish at Machhindra ghat, located near the temple. The visitors can feed the fish in the river.

The tourist department sources said the footfall of tourists to the place was on the rise every year. The leaning temple of Huma had attracted 2,34,070 tourists in 2012. However, the number went up to 2,36,565 in 2013 and 2,40,140 in 2014.

It is expected that the riverfront development near the temple will draw more tourists.

There is also a proposal to provide water supply to the temple and Huma village. The work will be carried out by the rural water supply and sanitation organisation. The Western Odisha Development Council has sanctioned Rs 35 lakh for the purpose.