Srikalahasti temple Gopuram works resume

Tirupati: The construction work of temple tower of Srikalahasti temple commenced on Sunday with temple Executive Officer Ramachandra Murthy and construction company staff performing Kalasa puja and special prayers at the construction site. Amidst serious criticisms over the delay in the construction of the temple tower (Gopuram) from devotees and local people, the Navayuga Construction Company has resumed the work.

The Navayuga Company voluntarily came forward to construct the tower free of cost and the then Chief Minister K Rosaiah laid the foundation stone on September 9, 2011. The work came to a standstill after the cement concrete pillars were completed. However, now the work resumed. "We hadn't fixed any dead line for the completion of the work but will complete it at the earliest," said Ravi, technical expert of Navayuga Company.

It should be pointed here that the 500-year-old temple tower was built by Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya around 1513 AD commemorating victory celebrations. The seven-storied 150 feet high tower fell down on May 26, 2010 due to poor maintenance and negligence by the engineers of the temple. In this backdrop, Navayuga Construction Company has constructed 300 cement concrete pillars after the ground breaking ceremony by former Chief Minister K Rosaiah.

Srikalahasti temple Executive Engineer Rami Reddy said that the CC pillars were laid down with a depth of 30 feet and the tower height will be around 136 feet. Initially, two years ago, the cost was estimated at about Rs 30 crores, but now the costs touched Rs 50 crores. Already a design was drafted for the tower. Following the request of local revenue department and temple authorities, about 20 shops and houses were demolished and alternative sites in addition to the compensation of about Rs one crore was provided to the victims.