Security for Subramanya temple to go hi-tech

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 10, 2014:  Chairing a review meeting at his office on September 9,   DK DC A B Ibrahim stated, as a measure to tighten up the security of Shri Kshetra Subrahmanya, 60 CC cameras will be installed in and around the temple, including the guest houses, at a cost of Rs 49 lakh.

Reviewing the implementation of the steps for securing Kukke Subrahmanya and Kateel temples, he told the concerned to give preference to local people while recruiting security personnel. Also, he directed the local Panchayat officials to initiate stern action against the people who release affluent to Nandini He meanwhile suggested cleansing the water tanks at both the temples, at least once in a week.

The officials concerned said that the construction of a waste water treatment plant is in progress in Kateel and the toilets constructed by the department of tourism have been handed over to the temple. About 21,000 sarees offered to the presiding Goddess of Kateel, are being auctioned and 7,000 sarees have been sold to Rs eight lakh so far.

The VIP guest rooms in Subrahmanya will be ready by October. An information booklet on the temple has been released. Sign boards have been erected at eight different places to guide the visitors. A master plan has been drafted for the overall development of the temple. LED projector and screen has been installed. Works on underground drainage system and water supply are in progress. Fabricated toilets are being constructed at the temple premises, the officials said. Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress of 19 other works, which are yet to be opened for the public use.

Additional DC Sadashiv Prabhu, Kateel Temple Trustee Vasudeva Asranna, Executive Officer Ningaiah, PWD Assistant Engineer Nanjegowda and Subrahmanya Temple Engineer Uday Kumar and others were present at the meet.

Security :The richest temple in Karnataka- Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple - is all set to get private security.  On an average daily 10,000 people visit and 50,000 at least on important festive occasions, the temple town struggles to meet the surging masses. The temple has 37 private security and 19  guards on its payrolls. But it could do with at least a 100 more.


Under the plan envisaged by Dakshina Kannada district police and submitted to the religious endowment department, the temple town could well employ 150 private security guards. This is part of a detailed security audit carried out by district police authorities at the temple’s behest and on a request from the endowment department. The audit report is now before the department awaiting approval and subsequent implementation.

The report is not just about enhancing private security personnel. It also entails having eyes in the skies to cover all public areas in and around the temple, including the bathing ghats, lodges and guest houses and the parking lots. Elaborate barricading system to ensure smooth flow of vehicles and devotees coming to temple town, door frame metal detectors are other components of the plan.

T P Shivakumar, additional superintendent of police, told media,  Subrahmanya police station under whose jurisdiction the temple town falls, has limited police personnel on hand to take care of the needs of the temple, and villages in their jurisdiction.

Cost of security upgradation will be borne by the temple, Shivakumar said, adding the report prepared by Puttur sub-division deputy superintendent of police and vetted by district police top brass has been forwarded to the department. The plus point in audit report is additional security personnel who will be roped in to work in three shifts, he said, adding it will reduce burden on personnel at Subrahmanya PS, who also have to deal with naxal insurgency.