Civic body to lay swanky footpath along Mylapore temple tank at cost of Rs 5.65 crore
A resolution passed in the Chennai corporation council meet which sanctioned a sum of Rs 5.65 crore
Chennai: The Kapaleeswarar temple tank in Mylapore will soon get a swanky pavement, enabling citizens to stroll along the water body. A resolution passed in the corporation council meet, held here on Thursday, sanctioned a sum of Rs 5.65 crore. The footpath will be laid along a length of 2,150 metre, this falling under the purview of the corporation’s special projects department. “The project, once implemented will benefit the hundreds of devotees who come to the temple every day,” said ward councillor J.B. Chandrika.
What could hinder it though is the presence of hawkers who occupy parts of the area currently. According to the civic body, there are 63 shops occupying the roadside. “The project can be kick started only after these encroachments are cleared,” Chandrika said. “As a first step, a place must be identified to construct a commercial complex for these hawkers as has been done at Pondy Bazaar. Once these hawkers are shifted into the complex, the land marked for the pavement will be free, paving the way for implementation of the scheme,” she added.
One of the oldest theppakulams in the city, the Mylapore tank, measuring about 190m in length and 143m in breadth with a storage capacity of 1.19 cubic metre, is well maintained and has water all through the year. Though the present temple structure is over 400 years old, the shrine was said to have been built around the 7th century CE.
There is a 16-pillared, granite-roofed structure (mandapam) at the centre of this famed temple tank in Mylapore which pulsates with life during the annual float festival.
“The promenade will enhance the beauty of the temple tank and help accommodate several of the devotees who take part in the three-day festivities when idols of Lord Kapaleeswarar and others are taken around the temple tank to the chanting of the Vedas and rendering of religious hymns,” according to a senior official of the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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