Devaswom Minister intervenes to expedite Rs 700 crore Chottanikkara Devi temple renovation project

Kochi: Devaswom Minister Kadadampally Surendran has called for a special meeting to discuss the renovation of Chottanikkara Devi temple after the devotee, who pledged Rs 700 crore for renovation, complained of delay in the process.

Bengaluru based businessman Ganashravan had donated the money for the temple a year back. However, the minister made the intervention directly as there was delay in the process.

Court’s approval is needed for a project of this magnitude. The meeting convened on Wednesday has decided to file a plea in Kerala High Court in this regard. The renovation work will start as soon as the court grants approval. District Collector S Suhas, Chief Commissioner Venugopal and Devaswom Board members attended the meeting convened by the minister.

Kerala’s largest temple city is being planned as part of this project. The idea is to make Chottanikkara temple into an international pilgrimage centre. Rs 300 crore will be spent on covering the temple with gold. A hospital with 500 beds offering free treatment, renovation of ring roads, 2 overbridges and an industrial park for handicrafts are also part of the project.

Ganashravan, who is a diamond merchant in Karnataka, visited Chottanikkara Devi temple when he faced a setback in his business. Later, his business picked up and started flourishing again. That is when he decided to contribute a part of his profit to the temple. Ganashravan was present when the first phase of renovation works started in November.