THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The officials, as per a recent High Court order, has started draining Padmatheertham pond for renovation following the completion of a new drainage network. “Due to seepage for past few years, Navaratri Saraswathi idol could not be dipped in the holy pond. It was being drained now hoping it will get partially recharged by September end for Navaratri celebrations,” said an official.
Soon after Navaratri, renovations will begin on a kalmandapam near the temple that had caved into the pond a few years back. The collapsed stones have been recovered. The tourism department has authorised Rs 6 to 7 crore funding for the renovation by the Nirmiti Kendra. In 2016, another Kalmandapam damaged during a toilet construction was reinstated by experts from Myladi in Tamilnadu.
Though the pond was drained in 2014, it turned out to be a futile exercise as seepage of sewage from houses in the vicinity continued. So by May 2017, a drainage network was constructed, and houses given connection. “Kerala Water Authority has promised that there won’t be seepage hereafter,” the official added.
Funds worth Rs 74 crore have been sanctioned under Union government’s Swadesh Darshan scheme for the renovation works around the temple, involving removal of electric poles and underground cabling for beautification. Further, granite slabs were to be laid on the peripheries of pond and road around it had to be re-laid.
