The Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple and its surroundings is likely to be given a face lift under the second phase of beautification of the temple.
Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the three among the 63 Nayanmar, is one of the prominent person of Tamil Literature. She was born at Karaikal and lived during the 6 Century.
The Executive Officer of the temple, S.K.Pannerselvam told The Hindu that in the first phase Rs.4 crore had been spend for dredging the Chandra Theertham and developing the path way, park and the renovation of the temple. The fund had been allotted by the Department of Tourism and the works had been implemented by the Public Works Department. More than 3000 people visit the temple every day.
The Public Works Department has sent a proposal proposal for the construction of an auditorium and creating recreation facilities at a cost of Rs.3.62 crore to attract both the domestic and foreign tourists as well as the locals, said the Executive Officer of the temple.
However the Government is yet to sanction the amount citing lack of fund in the Department of Tourism. However, the Karaikal (South), MLA, A.M.H.Nazeem of DMK raised this issue in the Puducherry Assembly.
When contacted he told that the place around the temple tank is one of the attractive place in Karaikal. Hence as requested by him the Public Work Department Officials had already sent a proposal to the tune of Rs3.62 crores for the construction auditorium, recreation facilities and commercial complex in the second phase by making the beach area one of the major tourist spot in the small Karaikal district. Moreover Karaikal will occupy a place in to the tourism map of India at the earliest with the completion of the second phase of work, said the MLA.
Moreover the Central Government has allotted Rs125 crore for Puducherry under Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The Government has identified 66 works through the Department of Tourism except the Karaikal Ammayar temple’s second phase work. Hence he met the Chief Minister, N.R.Rangasamy recently who in turned contacted the Chief Engineer of PWD, S.Manohar to include the works also in the Centrally sponsored scheme.
The Government has also allotted the sum of Rs188 cores for Disaster Management and it should also allot the due share to Karaikal. Further the Government should also allot the sum of Rs25 crore for the beautification of Karaikal beach and requested the Chief Minister to allot it while met him, said Mr.Nazeem.
The PWD officials confirmed that the proposal for the second phase of development of the Karaikal Ammayar temple to the Government.
