Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb surveyed a proposed 17-acre site for a Mahakal temple, with indications that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may lay the foundation stone on January 16 during her visit to north Bengal. The project, announced by Banerjee last October, aims to boost religious tourism and economic opportunities. The state government will manage the temple through a trust. A preliminary land survey was initiated in December.