PIL wants ancient temples on CMRL route protected

Objecting to Chennai
Metro Rail Limited’s discriminatory approach towards colonial-era and
centuries-old heritage structures, particularly temples, a PIL has sought a direction to the government to
declare ancient temples in the city heritage structures.

The PIL also sought an
order restraining CMRL from proceeding with corridor-4 of phase-2 without
completing Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment in
respect of Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore, Murugan temple, Vengeeswarar temple
and Alagar Perumal temple in Vadapalani, Sundaravardharaja Perumal temple,
Virugambalkam; Velveeswarar temple, Valasaravakkam; ‘Itrirukachi
Nambigal and Varadaraja Perumal temple, Poonamallee; and Thirukachi Nambigal
Temple, Poonamallee. 

As of now, CMRL has identified only National Shrine of
Santhome Church, Rosary Church and Our Lady of Light Shrine, Luz as heritage assets and didn’t consider
temples and their structures heritage structures, said the PIL, filed jointly
by G Gouthaman, P R Ramanan and S Vijay Narayanan. Faulting the tourism
as well as HR7CE departments for having failed in their duty, it said the
heritage structures belong to the main deities which remain perpetual minors
under law. “The two departments, supposed to be guardians of the temples, have
not taken any steps to protect the interest of the temples and their heritage
structures.”

Referring to a 2015
high court order, the PIL said the tourism and HR&CE departments were yet
to complete the list of temples which are more than 100 years old. “Because of
the failure of the departments, CMRL is not considering these temples as
heritage structures.” It pointed out how, without any acquisition, land of
Thirukachi Nambigal and Varadharaja Perumal temple in Poonamallee had been
handed over to CMRL which began construction.

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