The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Temple board for renegotiating price issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Temple board for renegotiating price issue

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, JUNE 9. With the multinational giant L&T company quoting excess rates for taking up the extension work of the ghat road and a two-storeyed structure, the Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devasthanam Board has written to the State Government urging it to renegotiate with the company on the issue.

The temple authorities invited limited tenders a fortnight ago for carrying out extension of the ghat road and construction of a two-storeyed structure on the Durga Ghat for pilgrims carrying out "pinda pradanam.'' The two works are to be taken up on an "emergency'' basis in view of the coming Pushkarams. The extension of the ghat road involves widening of the present alignment to a minimum of 30 feet and construction of meshes on the left side of the road.

This has become essential, as the temple authorities fear that there is a possibility of a few rocks from the hills hurtling down the ghats, endangering the lives of pilgrims as the Pushkarams are scheduled to take place during the monsoon. Lakhs of pilgrims participating in the 12-day festival are expected to throng the shrine during the period. At present, the alignment of the ghat road is uneven. At some places the width is just 15 feet, while it is about 50 feet at some points. The proposed extension is aimed at widening the road to a minimum of 30 feet and making it a two-way route.

The two-storeyed structure meant for "pinda pradanam'' requires a high degree of sophisticated technology and infrastructure, for which only the L&T responded. But, the company quoted an excess of nearly Rs. 1.40 crores for the two works -- the two-storeyed structure and widening of the ghat road -- against the estimated Rs 4 crores, the Chairman of the board, Ankem Prabhakar Rao, told The Hindu here on Wednesday.

The L&T has taken the plea that it is charging a similar rate for undertaking the ongoing flyover work in the city. However, the temple board, which met recently, refused to approve the excess rates quoted and instead decided to write to the Government with an appeal to renegotiate the price with the company. Mr. Rao said it was now waiting for the Government to take the necessary steps in arriving at mutually acceptable terms with the company.

However, Mr. Rao felt that though the Government had decided to follow austerity measures for the Pushkarams, the proposed works might not find any such opposition, as they are to be undertaken from the temple's own funds. The temple annually earns about Rs 4 crores to Rs 5 crores. At present, the shrine's accumulated revenue asset has been put around Rs 40 crores.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Temple board for renegotiating price issue

CPI(M) plans regional conventions

Truckers want user charges scrapped

Meet on `emotional intelligence'

Bid to steal currency at Durga temple foiled

New bike launched

Arond the City

All set for advanced supplementary exam