The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Court calls for scheme to develop Rameswaram

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Court calls for scheme to develop Rameswaram

K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI: Observing that Rameswaram has been totally neglected all these years, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to consider the feasibility of framing a scheme for the development of the pilgrim centre and the shrine there on a par with Tirupati and Madurai.

The exercise should be undertaken keeping in view the needs of pilgrims, tourists and local people and in the light of a report by the court-appointed Commissioners as expeditiously as possible and implemented on a time-bound basis. The Chief Secretary should submit the Action Taken Report by December-end this year.

Disposing of two writ petitions, Justice K.K. Sasidharan observed: “The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, considering the lack of infrastructural and civic facilities, has announced a scheme worth Rs.190 crore to develop Srirangam as a major pilgrimage centre. Rameswaram appears to be the other major pilgrimage centre neglected totally for all these years. This shrine also requires the immediate attention of the Government of Tamil Nadu and similar packages.”

Originally, two petitions were filed by Pakshi Sivarajan S. and S.Bala relating to repair works to the damaged golden idol of Lord Ramanathaswamy of Rameswaram and quashing of an order of the municipality in unilaterally cancelling the licence to collect parking fee.

Subsequently, a local people's representative, who was impleaded in a petition, in his affidavit narrated the difficulties of pilgrims on account of the failure of the municipality and the government to provide parking space for pilgrims' vehicles.

Counsel for the parties projected a case of poor maintenance of the temple and roads, lack of facilities for pilgrims, absence of proper parking place and lack of amenities, including boarding and lodging in the town.

They said that the writ petition involved larger issues concerning the public.

In February this year, Mr. Justice Sasidharan appointed V. Vijayan, Registrar (Administration), Madurai Bench; B. Baskaran, Executive Officer, Sri Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruchendur; and R. Vijayakumar, advocate, Munsif Court, Rameswaram, as Advocate-Commissioners and directed them to file a report.

The panel submitted a detailed report on various aspects, including sanitation facilities around the temple, ‘Agni Theertham', condition of the Pamban bridge and inside the temple and parking facilities.

The Commissioners said that for bathing in the holy wells, the temple collected Rs.25, but those baling out the water demanded more money. Heaps of tins, old doors, windows and wood were found at some places inside the temple. There were frequent power cuts in the temple. “In the opinion of the public, the municipal administration is failing to do their civic duties.”

The committee, after pointing out the lack of planning and absence of adequate facilities to pilgrims, suggested various steps to remedy the situation.

Mr. Justice Sasidharan said the State and the temple authorities had a duty to make available the basic facilities to pilgrims.

The government had taken considerable efforts to improve the condition of temples in Tamil Nadu. However, there was no scheme to develop Rameswaram and the temple.

The planning should be at a higher level.

The State should consider all-round development of the town and maintenance of the temple by providing public roads, electricity and water, parking, toilets, bathing place and accommodation to pilgrims, besides keeping the ‘Theerthams' in good condition.

As regards traffic, the Judge said the police should ensure that no parking is permitted on the eastern side entrance of the temple. The eastern side road is the only access to the sea.

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