Steps would be taken to install closed circuit television cameras permanently at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments M.Paranjothi said here on Sunday.
Speaking at a consultative meeting to discuss the arrangements for the Vaikunda Ekadasi festival at the temple, scheduled from December 25 to January 5, Mr.Paranjothi said he would take up with the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa proposals for installing the CCTV cameras and establishment of a permanent parking area for the temple.
CCTV cameras would be install to augment security at the temple during the festival period.
The Minister also said that designs for the proposed Yatri Nivas, sanctioned at a cost of Rs.37 crore in Srirangam, has been submitted to the Chief Minister for approval. This apart, an auditorium would also be built at the temple town at a cost of Rs.5 crore.
Stating that elaborate arrangements were being made for the festival, Mr.Paranjothi instructed the Corporation to take steps to provide accommodation for visiting devotees at marriage halls and schools. He instructed the officers to install temporary barricades to regulate the devotees; install additional street lights around the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat on the Cauvery River, and put up temporary toilets in East and North Uthira Streets.
Twenty-four hour medical camps would be organised in the town and special buses would be operated to Srirangam from various places, he said.
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan said steps would be taken to rope in National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme volunteers to regulate the crowd.
City Engineer S.Raja Mohamed said about 200 temporary sanitary workers would be deployed in the town during the festival period.
The Corporation would set up two temporary toilets and also deploy a mobile toilet. Twenty-four hour drinking water supply would be provided in the town from January 3 to 5.
A Railway officer informed the gathering that advance and current booking counters would be function at the temple from December 25 to January 7. The Vaigai Express would halt at the Srirangam Railway Station on January 5 and 6.
Deputy Commissioners of Police Ramaiyan and Jayam Pandian briefed the meeting on the security arrangements to be made for the meeting.
R.Manoharan, MLA, C.Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner of the temple and other officials participated.
