Karnataka government

Authorities in Karnataka have put together a ₹250 crore blueprint aimed at upgrading the Sri Dattatreya Temple in Ganagapur, located in Afzalpur taluk, a well-known pilgrimage site in the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Officials plan to begin with a first stage of construction valued at ₹50 crore before moving to later phases.

District in-charge minister Priyank Kharge oversaw preparation of the detailed project report and designs, and told reporters that the first phase is ready to proceed once cleared by the state cabinet.

Planned works include a ₹17.1 crore upgrade of Sangam Ghat, a ₹12.5 crore facelift for Papavinash Teertha, a ₹6.5 crore walkway linking the main road to the temple, ₹9.1 crore for parking and transit areas, a ₹52 lakh footpath from the bus stand, and ₹4.2 crore in improvements within the temple premises.

The Sangam Ghat component will add space for 70 cars, 40 shops, a visitor centre, a park, public facilities and ornamental lighting, while Papavinash Teertha will get a floating jetty for bathing, changing rooms, restrooms, a park and steps down to the river. A 160-metre approach walkway to the temple will carry shops, shuttle access, toilets, an information point and decorative lights, along with buried power lines and digital infrastructure.

Kalaburagi deputy commissioner Ikram Sherif said the scheme could turn Ganagapur into a leading destination for both pilgrims and tourists.

The temple will also gain separate paths for entering and leaving, a designated space for rituals such as pujas and abhishekas, shoe storage counters, and accessible routes for disabled visitors.

Given that the shrine already draws large daily crowds from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana, better infrastructure could ease congestion while keeping the site's religious character intact.