Two government agencies have joined hands to take up peripheral development of Sikharchandi, which is located near Chandaka Industrial Estate on city outskirts.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the tourism department have planned to make the place more vibrant with recreational facilities so that it could be converted into a tourist hub.

“We have forwarded a proposal to the development authority to develop a plan for Sikharchandi in consultation with them,” said an official of the tourism department.

At present, the place is more of a picnic spot than a tourist site. Sikharchandi is the presiding deity of the area and the temple is situated on the hilltop.

People use a curvy pitch road to reach the temple and picnic spots located on the hill.

“It is a very good place to visit. I used to go there every year with my family for picnic. The facilities are quite good, but it has the scope of improvement mainly when it comes to putting up proper parking place and other recreational facilities,” said Naveen Ojha, a resident of Sailashree Vihar.

Sources said the departmental standing committee of the Odisha Assembly and local MLA Priyadarshi Mishra have proposed the peripheral development plan for Sikharchandi.

Thereafter, the department of tourism took the matter up with the development authority.

BDA vice-chairman Krishan Kumar said that they would convene a meeting with the officials concerned of various government agencies and come up with plans for peripheral development of Sikharchandi. “We will work out on each details and improve the area with better facilities,” said Kumar.

Aman Mishra, a regular visitor to the shrine, told The Telegraph that urbanisation had led to degradation of the tourist site.

“Peacocks used to be found on the hilltop, but they have almost vanished over the last few years. They can come back and add to its scenic beauty if the place is revamped,” said Mishra, a corporate employee.

The hill, which is surrounded by Infocity, Chandrasekharpur, Chandaka Industrial Estate, has turned into a major residential and educational zone.

However, the place lacks adequate recreational facilities and parks.

“The development of Sikharchandi will provide the people a better place to spend their leisure,” said Mishra.

Entrance to the Sikharchandi temple near Chandaka Picture by Ashwinee Pati