Trichy: The HR&CE department that manages Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam has decided to monetise vacant temple land parcels by renting them out for commercial use. This is expected to generate not less than Rs 5.45 lakh a month.
This will serve a dual purpose, one, ensure a sizeable revenue for the temple from vacant plots, and, two, safeguard assets from encroachment. Sites at eight different places in Srirangam measuring between 10,454 squarefeet and 43,560 squarefeet have been identified in the first phase of the drive. The vacant sites will be given to interested commercial establishments on monthly rent with the base price varying from Rs 26,000 to Rs 1.3 lakh. “Commercial establishments will be given the land under the condition that their activities must not hurt religious sentiments of the temple. Monthly rent as agreed in the agreement for one full year will be collected as deposit from successful bidders,” S Marimuthu, joint commissioner of the temple, said. A tender was floated by the temple management inviting bidders for public auctioning of the properties.
The decision has come in the wake of repeated encroachment threats on the land donated by private trusts to the temple. Motor vehicle workshops, warehouses and parking lots were identified as probable commercial activities for which the land parcels could be utilised. The open auction of temple land is to be held at Rengavilasa Mandapam on June 15. “More suitable temple lands are being identified for the monetisation plan. The agreement signed with the successful bidders will be valid for five years,” the joint commissioner added.
This will serve a dual purpose, one, ensure a sizeable revenue for the temple from vacant plots, and, two, safeguard assets from encroachment. Sites at eight different places in Srirangam measuring between 10,454 squarefeet and 43,560 squarefeet have been identified in the first phase of the drive. The vacant sites will be given to interested commercial establishments on monthly rent with the base price varying from Rs 26,000 to Rs 1.3 lakh. “Commercial establishments will be given the land under the condition that their activities must not hurt religious sentiments of the temple. Monthly rent as agreed in the agreement for one full year will be collected as deposit from successful bidders,” S Marimuthu, joint commissioner of the temple, said. A tender was floated by the temple management inviting bidders for public auctioning of the properties.
The decision has come in the wake of repeated encroachment threats on the land donated by private trusts to the temple. Motor vehicle workshops, warehouses and parking lots were identified as probable commercial activities for which the land parcels could be utilised. The open auction of temple land is to be held at Rengavilasa Mandapam on June 15. “More suitable temple lands are being identified for the monetisation plan. The agreement signed with the successful bidders will be valid for five years,” the joint commissioner added.
