Vijayawada: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple on the Indrakeeladri hilltop is undergoing extensive development works aimed at enhancing the experience for devotees visiting the holy temple. Temple authorities said that around 24 projects taken up at the temple are progressing at a swift pace. Durga Temple executive officer K. Ramachandra Mohan said construction of the queue complex, which had been halted previously, is now being resumed. Expected to be completed within six months, it will allow devotees to access the Maha Mandapam seamlessly from Kanaka Durga Nagar.A six-story Laddu Centre is under construction to the southeast of the temple, with four floors already completed. This centre, valued at ₹27 crore, will house a modern kitchen, laddu production facilities and packing areas, among others.Annadanam building’s first-floor slab is currently being laid and will be completed in approximately six months at an estimated cost of ₹26 crores, accommodating up to 1,200 devotees having their food at one go.A tensile shed will replace the dilapidated old shed near Maha Mandapam’s southern entrance for the comfort of devotees. The work, estimated at ₹99 lakhs, could be completed within three months. The stone Navagraha Mandapam within the temple’s premises has been completed with a budget of ₹76.33 lakhs and is ready for inauguration.New steel frames are being erected around the temple for the safety of devotees. The work is set to be completed in about 10 days. A copper cover is being added to the flagpole of the Sri Malleswara Swamy Temple, which will also be completed in 10 days. A gold plating will follow under expert supervision.A new stone Yagashala is being completed to facilitate special rituals. Funded by donations of ₹5 crore, it is expected to be built in a month. Special prayer halls are set to be completed in two months, involving an investment of ₹6 crore.Protective measures to prevent rock falls on Ghat Road are nearing completion, with expenses amounting to ₹4.26 crores.Besides these, EO Ramachandra Mohan said stainless steel dustbins will be installed throughout the temple to improve sanitation. 100 stainless steel benches will be placed at various locations for devotees’ comfort. There will be provision of drinking water in queues, restroom facilities on ghat road and Durga Ghat. He said there are proposals for additional lifts and escalators. A multi-level parking complex is in development. Landscaping efforts are going on along the Ghat Road. Canopies will be established at all temple locations to protect devotees from summer heat. Cool white paint will be applied across footpaths and other areas within the temple compound to ensure that devotees can walk comfortably during summer.
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