The present 20km stretch road to Simhachalam was developed
in 1950 and passes through NAD
Kotha Road and Gopalapatnam. Temple engineering staff along with some endowment
officials had conducted survey and feasibility tests on Thursday and Friday on
the alternative road planned from Darapalem, which is close to Adivivaram to
reach the hill shrine.
To avoid congestion on the existing ghat road, especially
during weekends, temple management planned the new alternative route from
Darapalem.
“As per sthala purana, devotees going to the hill shrine
have to pass through ‘Tholi Pavancha’ (First step of god’s abode) seen at the
entrance of the existing road. It had been the tradition and custom since ages.
The tholi pavancha is at steps route. But the ghat road that allows vehicles,
was constructed in such a manner that it passes through the first step. It is
related to sentiments. The temple management should review their plan,” Swamy
Swaroopanandendra told this correspondent.
The seer also pointed that a similar attempt few years back
to lay an alternate road from the city had claimed lives of 11 persons. The
Simhachalam temple authorities, seven years ago, developed a road along
Hanumanthawaka and Adivivaram to reach hill top temple. But it was closed after
around 11 persons were killed in an accident just a week before it was to be inaugurated
formally.
The temple authorities have almost finalized the alternate
road proposal and had sent it to endowments department for necessary
clearances. “We are awaiting nod from endowments department. As soon as we get
it works would begin,” said a senior official of Simhachalam temple.
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