The comprehensive renovation of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple premises, being undertaken using funds allocated by the Central government, is nearing its final phase.
Providing a facelift, works worth ₹78.55 crore are currently being undertaken under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan scheme for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. A major portion of the planned works, which were entrusted to State-run agencies Kerala State Housing Board, Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra, and Steel Industries Kerala Limited (SILK), is finished and the project is slated to be over by November.
Cabling work
Of these, the capital-intensive activity of underground cabling works has been completed with provisions reserved in multipurpose ducts for cables of the KSEB, Kerala Water Authority, BSNL and other service providers. Temple executive officer V. Ratheesan said the development around the four entry gates (nadas) were under way. Besides developing granite pathways at the four entrances, the road passing by temple periphery was also being developed.
Ornamental lighting will also be set up by erecting cast iron poles on the four entrance pathways and inner roads. While the works on the North and East nadas were entrusted to the Nirmithi Kendra, that on the South and West nadas were being undertaken by the Housing Board. The development of link roads that connected the temple to major roads was also taken up to facilitate last-mile connectivity, the officer added. These included the development of roads from the North nada to the Power House road and from the West nada to Vettimuricha Kotta, both of which will be undertaken by the SILK.
Another project component was the restoration of the Padmatheertham pond. Restoring the sacred pond and its environs to its original glory, the Nirmithi Kendra constructed granite steps and ‘mandapams,’ in addition to restoring the ones which existed. Besides, the century-old stone ‘mandapams’, which were damaged several years ago, had also been restored.
Enhancing steps for pilgrim welfare, facilities including a comfort station, rest room, information centre, lockers for safekeeping valuables, cafetaria, medical aid centre and a short-stay boarding facility were also being constructed at the northern side of the temple. As part of strengthening temple security, the existing CCTV network was being augmented. Besides, an automated reservation system for streamlining pilgrim visits, accommodation and darshan was also being implemented, Mr. Ratheesan said.
He said some changes were incorporated in the original project proposal with a few components found to be not feasible. These included a proposal to construct a multi-level parking facility on the ground belonging to the KSRTC. A solar panel had also also been proposed.
