HC directs inner ring in Alagarkoil be designated vehicle-free zone

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed that the Iraniyan Kottai (inner ring) of the Kallazhagar Temple in Alagarkoil in Madurai be designated as a vehicle-free zone. 

A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan observed that the temple located upon a total extent of 92.78 acres of land was divided into two demarcated zones: Iraniyan Kottai (inner ring) and Azhagapuri Kottai (outer ring). 

“Upon perusal of photographs, we find several two wheelers and four-wheelers inside the Iraniyan Kottai. This is detrimental to the heritage site and the maintenance and upkeep thereof. We thus believe that Iraniyan Kottai must be made a vehicle-free zone,” the court observed.

The court also observed that the temple presently runs two buggies and wheelchairs for the use of senior citizens / differently abled visitors and those who are sick and infirm. The authorities may consider acquiring additional buggies and wheelchairs bearing in mind the convenience of the devotees, the court directed.

There are some buildings located within the impermissible limits of protected monuments, such as the building near Nandanar Mandapam. They should be removed forthwith and compliance reported. Likewise, the sheds and temporary structure apart from those erected to stone building material should be removed, the court directed.

The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation petitions filed against the construction of commercial buildings near the temple. 

The court directed the temple authorities to produce all documents, including feasibility study, tender notification and agreement for award of work.

The temple should produce the Annual Budget, Income and Expenditure / Receipts and Payments Accounts and Balance Sheet of the Temple from 2020 onwards. The State and the temple authorities should produce the circulars issued by the Commissioner of the HR and CE Department providing guidelines on the manner by which expenditure be incurred by the temple authorities, the court directed and posted the matter for hearing to November 25.