Temple executive officers told to speed up Thiruppani works: Minister

Minister for HR&CE P.K. Sekarbabu has asked executive officers to speed up the works being carried out at 114 temples in the city at a cost of ₹50 crores.

The works are being taken up at temples where kumbabhishekam has not been conducted in the last 12 years.

“Some of these temples have not had their Kudamuzhukku for over 40 years and a few are in a dilapidated condition,” he said.

The consecration of 25 temples out of the 114 temples have been completed. However, works, including the repair of temple structures, construction of new temple cars and buildings such as marriage halls, are taking time in several cases.

According to the EOs, some donors are seeking more time to provide funding, and in some temples, sthapathis and contractors are not willing to take up the tenders. Additionally, there are temples awaiting technical sanctions by the committees.

Mr. Sekarbabu said the department would provide funds to temples in need of financial assistance. “Where sthapathis and contractors are unwilling, they can ask people who have taken up works at large temples to undertake the thiruppani in smaller temples as well. We have advised the EOs to finish the works by October this year since 100 more temples are to be taken up in the next batch.”

Works are being taken up in temples including Thirumoolanathar Temple in Puzhal, Siva Shanmuga Peruman temple in Tiruvottiyur, Kari Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Ayanambakkam, and Pandurangan Temple at Nammalwarpet.