Overview
- The project is planned on 17.41 acres with a 216-foot structure featuring a 108-foot bronze Mahakal idol and capacity for about 100,000 visitors a day.
- Officials said the Cabinet cleared the plan on November 24, land has been handed to the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority, and tenders have been floated with land-filling set to begin.
- A dedicated board or trust will oversee construction and later manage the site, with completion targeted in roughly two to two-and-a-half years.
- Design elements include a museum and cultural complex in the pedestal, replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas, two pradakshina routes, two sabha mandaps for 6,000 people, Nandi grihas, ritual water bodies, and visitor amenities.
- BJP leaders criticized the use of state funds and the timing ahead of Assembly elections, while Mamata Banerjee emphasized tourism, jobs, and an international convention centre proposal with state land support.