– Additional water taps and seating arrangements for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
– Installation of digital boards displaying pooja timings.
– Construction of a waiting hall near Raja gopuram at a cost of ₹1.97 crore; work to commence soon.
– Additional accommodation facilities under construction near the temple premises.
– Battery-run cars within the temple premises for persons with disabilities.- Separate queues set up for free darshan and also special provisions for senior citizens and pregnant women.
The proposed measures by Minister P.K. Sekar Babu indicate efforts toward enhancing infrastructure and accessibility at one of Tamil Nadu’s significant pilgrimage sites, widely visited by devotees from neighboring states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Doubling the special darshan ticket price seems primarily aimed at creating financial resources required to implement civic improvements like better water supply stations,digital dialogue boards,mobility aids,and dedicated spaces that prioritize convenience.
While this move could positively impact crowd management during peak seasons by channeling resources into renovations that improve accessibility and comfort across all demographics-especially vulnerable groups-care should be taken to ensure affordability remains viable so as not to alienate economically weaker pilgrims relying on free queues.
These investments show commitment toward balancing heritage preservation while accommodating increased footfall over time-a challenge faced universally by major religious destinations.
read More: The Hindu Article