Govt nod for rope cars, iron bridges to key hill shrines
Cleared - mani
Chennai: An iron bridge for Sathuragiri temple in Theni district and a ropeway for Avuvavi temple in Coimbatore. These are among a host of projects and infrastructure approved by Tamil Nadu govt for various hill shrines in the state.
In a joint coordination meeting chaired by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department and the environment department, ministers R S Rajakannappan and PK Sekar Babu cleared key proposals for temples. These include Sathuragiri Sundara Mahalingam in Madurai, Thiruthani Subramania in Tiruvallur, Irakkayi Amman near Alagarkoil, Bannari Mariamman in Erode, and Anuvavi Subramania in Coimbatore.
These rope car services, safer trekking paths, bridges, and improved amenities will make pilgrimage safer and more comfortable at several prominent temples in the state.
At the remote Sathuragiri temple, which sees several thousand trekkers annually, the govt will construct hand railings and iron bridges across streams along the three access routes. These are a 7 km trek from Thaniparai in Virudhunagar, a 4.5 km path from Valaithoppu in Madurai, and a 14 km trail from Varusanadu in Theni.
"Since 2012, there were 18 flash floods here that stranded 11,740 devotees and led to 10 deaths.
Safety infrastructure is now being prioritised," said an official, adding that water levels reach upto five feet during rains.
A rope car project at Anuvavi temple in Coimbatore has also been approved. Planned at a height of 420 m and a cost of Rs 13 crore, the ropeway will traverse forest land. Officials said this route passes through a critical elephant corridor between Thadagam and Boluvampatti valleys, near Kerala range.
"Elephants are frequently spotted near the temple gate at a lower entrance. Rope cars can help reduce human-animal conflict," an official with HR and CE in Coimbatore said.
Other cleared projects include trekking path upgrades to the 365-step trek in Thiruthani temple, road development to Irakkayi Amman temple, and new dormitories and dining halls for pilgrims. Steps, railings, and toilets will be set up in the Thiruthani temple.
The state has also approved land transfers, lease renewals, and basic facilities for over 10 temples across Erode, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Virudhunagar, and Rameswaram. Approvals will be fast-tracked under the Wildlife Protection Act.
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