The Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple at Sholingar in Vellore district would have a rope car facility soon for the convenience of pilgrims. Foundation stone for the same would be laid next week. Over 300 cars in various temples would be renovated and 1,400 temple tanks desilted as part of temple rehabilitation programme in the State, said K.R. Periakaruppan, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE).
Inaugurating an information office, registration office and four mandapams on Elephant Path at the foundation stone laying function for a second rope car facility for Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple here on Sunday, he said that the rope car at Sholingar would be established at a cost of Rs.6.5 crore. The government had sanctioned Rs.10 crore for renovation of temple cars. There were 960 wooden temple cars, of which 300 were in a dilapidated state. Efforts were on to rehabilitate these cars.
The second rope car facility at the Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple would come up adjacent to the existing rope car ground station. The proposed rope car would transport 800 persons in an hour. (The existing one carried 400 pilgrims). Latest technology would be employed to ensure hundred per cent safety for the pilgrims, he added.
Walkers' path
Laying the foundation stone for the rope car project, Revenue Minister I. Periasamy said that the government would take all efforts to lay a separate walkers' path between Dindigul and Palani for the convenience of padayatris (walkers).
HR and CE Secretary P.R. Sampath said that non-detachable cabins would be introduced in the second rope car. This project would be completed in a year.
“We chose this kind of cabins after inspecting the rope car facilities at Haridwar and Rishikesh. Top priority was given to safety of pilgrims,” he added.
Temple Trustee Karthi Chidambaram said that Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple had Rs.240 crore as deposits. The Board was ready to spend this money for enhancing facilities to devotees, provided it was accorded administrative sanctions.
Collector M. Vallalar said that development works were being implemented on the temple complex at an estimated cost of Rs.2.86 crore under the Destination Development Scheme.
