Hyderabad: The Indian Navy, which guards our shores, for a change will maintain a Shiva temple! Naval authorities have reached an agreement with the Telangana state government to take care of a 400-year-old Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy temple situated in Pudur village near Vikarabad in Ranga Reddy district, which forms part of the land acquired by it for establishment of Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication station. Initially, the naval authorities, who were allotted 44.23 acres of temple land 39.23 acres of temple land and five acre temple complex, proposed translocation of the temple complex.
But Pudur villagers objected to it since it was an ancient temple and sentiment attached to it. Hundreds of devotees from neighbouring villages and including towns like Vikarabad and from the city visit the temple during major festivities including Shivaratri. Following objections by locals, the government and naval authorities came to an agreement not to disturb the temple and the Navy to provide access to the temple through the defe-nce establishment for daily rituals and also for devotees.
After a series of deliberations between the ministry of defence and the Telangana government, including chief commissioner of land administration, Ranga Reddy district collectorate, defence authorities and government reached an agreement. The defence authorities agreed to pay the government Rs 5.14 crore for 39.23 acres which will be revised upwards on account of acquisition of another five acres in which temple complex is located. The Indian Navy will maintain and take care of the upkeep of the temple which will continue to be at the present place and provide access to the people.
It also promised to provide a permanent approach road to the temple instead of the present three approach road from Pudur village, Gudu-pally and Vikarabad mandal headquarters. The Indian Navy is planning to construct seven km of road around the entire campus which will lead to main access point on the eastern side near Pudur. The ministry of defence sought 2,730 acres from the state government including the temple land and areas under Damagundam reserve forest block for the VLF station.
