Three solar plants will be set up at Samayapuram Sri Mariamman temple at an estimate of Rs. 40 lakh. The move by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board aims at saving the bi-monthly power consumption charge which is around Rs. 5 lakh at present.
Each plant with an installed capacity of 10 kV will be set up at Ammavasai mandapam, Mudimandapam, and guest house, according to G. Thennarasu, Joint Commissioner of the temple. Work on setting up the plants would commence some time in December or January. He told The Hindu on Thursday that in addition to these three plants, it has been planned to install another plant with similar capacity at the temple in course of time.
On the ongoing development work being implemented for improving amenities for devotees, Mr. Thennarsu said that the progress of work was being monitored periodically. Work-specific deadline has been fixed for ensuring expeditious completion.
He said that work on the expansion of the northern and southern prakarams of the temple was also being executed in full swing. “The available space is being utilised fully for arranging queues,” he said. He said that the work on the five-tier rajagopuram under construction at an estimate of Rs. 60 lakh would be completed in a phased manner. The work up to basal plane (kalkaram) would be completed by December 31. Similarly, the guest house with a plinth area of 14,678 sq. ft. would be ready by December 31. Only its interior decoration and furniture-related work needed to be completed, which has 16 suits each on the ground floor and first floor. This work has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 2.20 crore.
Mr. Thennarasu said that Ammavasai mandapam with a large plinth area of 26,188 sq. ft. was constructed at an estimate of Rs. 6.1 crore. A major civil work had been completed here and only elevation work needed to be completed. A deadline of December 31 had been fixed for this work too. Ammavavasi mandapam would provide adequate protection and safety to a large number of devotees staying at the temple on New Moon Day and at major festivals.
