Including Rameswaram in AMRUT: Urban Development impleaded Madurai

Madurai, Oct 26: The Madras High Court today directed impleading of the union government secretaries for Urban Development and Tourism to give their views on the possibility of including Rameswaram island under 'Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation' (AMRUT) and for sanctioning Rs 100 crore to develop infrastructure there.

Justices R Sudhakar and V.M.Velumani, while hearing a PIL seeking to improve the facilities and hygienic conditions for pilgrims in Rameswaram, were referring to the letter written by the Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu who sought funds for the temple town under the AMRUT scheme.

The government also said the initiative to include Rameswaram under the scheme would be a tribute to former President A P J abdul Kalam, a native of the island. Meanwhile the Rameswaram Municipal Commissioner submitted that action was being taken to collect 'pilgrim tax' from southern railway to generate income from that municipality.

Seperate rooms could be provided for leaving the clothes and dresses and the same could be utilised by women pilgrims for changing clothes, he said. The Joint Commissioner of Sri Ramanthaswamy temple said the guidance and consent of Sringeri swamy had been sought to shift one to six holy water sites from the existing place to the third 'pragraram' (enclosure).

The Advocate Commissioners in their report submitted the standard operating procedure for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in the 'Agni theertham' seashore. The case has been posted for hearing on November 30.

PTI