KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — The construction of an escalator at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves will not involve the pathway with the 272 steps leading to the cave, according to temple committee chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah.
He said the construction would be done on the right side of the limestone hill leading to the cave temple to preserve its natural beauty.
“If the project is to be expedited, we can build the escalator on the stairs, as we currently have four staircases. We can take the left and right sides of the stairs to construct the escalator.
“However, the natural features of Batu Caves will be lost, and it will look ugly,” Nadarajah said to Bernama.
He added the project aims to convenience elderly devotees and children, facilitating their movement to the temple.
On January 19, the temple management said there are plans to build an escalator in the tourist attraction area this year as an alternative to the 272 steps which visitors and Hindu devotees need to climb to reach the cave.
Nadarajah said the escalator is one of two projects which will commence after the Thaipusam celebration, along with the construction of a multipurpose hall for RM35 million.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has expressed commitment to implement the projects, and all plans are progressing smoothly, pending approval from the Technical Committee for the Development of Sensitive Environmental Areas in Selangor.
Meanwhile, he thanked the government for its commitment to allocate development funds to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple committee to construct the multipurpose hall, completing the Indian Cultural Centre development project there.
“This Indian Cultural Centre will serve as a hub for the public to immerse themselves and understand the culture of the Indian community in Malaysia.
“The centre will feature food stalls, art and music exhibitions, museums, and more,” he said, adding that the hall can accommodate 3,000 people at any one time.
Earlier, the government agreed to assist the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple committee of Batu Caves, in terms of development funding, with the matter receiving approval in a meeting between Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.
— Bernama
