Chief Priest Kailashanand Maharaj urges Almora District Magistrate to address damaged roads, power shortage and lack of street lighting
Jageshwar. Residents of Kotuli village, located near the world-famous Jageshwar Dham and Shri Dandeshwar Mahadev Temple, are facing difficulties due to damaged roads, inadequate electricity supply and poor lighting on the village approach road.
Jageshwar Dham chief priest and Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Maharaj (Kailash Chandra Bhatt) has written to the Almora District Magistrate seeking immediate action on the issues affecting the village.
According to the letter, the main road to Kotuli, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has been damaged at several locations following heavy rainfall. Large potholes on the road are reportedly creating difficulties for more than 250 families, homestay operators, pilgrims and people involved in the construction of the Jagnath Dharmarth Ashram.
The letter also highlights the village’s electricity problems. Kotuli currently has a 25-kilowatt transformer, which, according to the representation, has become inadequate with the increase in population and the opening of homestays, an ashram and hotels in the area. Residents reportedly face frequent transformer failures and low-voltage problems.
Kailashanand Maharaj has sought installation of a new 100-kilowatt transformer to improve the power supply in the village.
The lack of lighting along the road has also been raised as a safety concern. Priests providing services at Dandeshwar Temple late into the night and local residents have to use the route in darkness, with the presence of wild animals adding to the concern. The letter seeks installation of solar street lights up to Kotuli village.
Kailashanand Maharaj has urged the administration to issue immediate directions to the concerned departments for road repairs, installation of a higher-capacity transformer and provision of solar street lighting.
He said timely action on these issues would provide relief to local residents as well as pilgrims and visitors travelling to the Jageshwar area.
