Visakhapatnam: Removal of holy structures met with resistance

Visakhapatnam: The district administration has removed many religious structures in the past that were located on public roads in Visakhapatnam city, but there are still some that need to be moved but have been left untouched for the usual reasons. There are temples right on busy BRTS corridors in the city— Boolokamatha temple near CMR shopping mall, and Yarnimamba temple near the city railway station - and another one in MVP Colony. Around two years ago, the civic authorities tried to take action on Boolokamatha temple, but met with stiff resistance from devotees.

The two temples on the BRTS corridor have not encroached on any land, but had to be shifted when the road was expanded. The civic administration has managed to convince temple managements to shift the temples and this has been done. The Yarnimamba temple on the BRTS corridor close to the Gnanapuram Gate of the city railway station and right in front of St Joseph’s College for Women, causes traffic jams, especially when devotees put up tents on special occasions.

Students of nearby schools and colleges struggle to cross the road to reach the bus stop on the other side.  Railway passengers entering the station from the Gnanapuram side also face difficulties. Traffic officials say, the GVMC, the endowments department and politicians should come together to convince the devotees to allow the shifting and to offer an alternative site to celebrate the festival.