2 days ago
Electric cart service at Big Temple lying idle, awaits ASI nod
Thanjavur: The electric cart service at the Brihadeeswara Temple, or Big Temple, in Thanjavur, which was inaugurated last month, is yet to begin operations, as the Rotary Club, which dedicated the service, has said that it is waiting for permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The cart, which was dedicated for the benefit of senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with disabilities visiting the temple, has been lying idle at the office of Thanjavur Municipal Corporation for the past three weeks.
On May 18, the Rotary Club's Thanjavur Kings dedicated the electric cart. However, the temple's administration, ASI, halted the service that same day due to a lack of permission.
G Sridhar, president of Rotary Club's Thanjavur Kings, said, "We have submitted a request letter at the ASI office in Trichy and are waiting for permission to operate the cart."
The electric cart initiative was supported by a private bank's corporate social responsibility (CSR) at around 6 lakh.
K Varthaman, 59, from Dindigul, who visited the temple with his family on Friday, said, "The electric cart service would have been useful for the needy visitors if it had been available. Due to the unavailability, accessibility remains a challenge for the needy."
ASI sources in the central zone said the permission needs to be granted by the higher officials, as the administered temple is a UNESCO world heritage site.
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