The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Kanaka Durga temple) Trust Board has decided to lay the second ghat road atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada to cater to the rising number of devotees.

A proposal in this regard has been submitted to the Andhra Pradesh government, temple trust board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna told the media after the board’s meeting on Saturday.

The second ghat road is required as vehicle numbers are increasing, and repair work on the existing ghat road has been suspended due to the heatwave. The works would resume once the weather turned favourable, he said. 

A new laddu production unit and an Annadanam Complex would be inaugurated in the first week of July. 

Mr. Radhakrishna said the board decided to construct special shelters atop Indrakeeladri for the convenience of devotees. This was in response to the increasing flow of devotees. Further, the board decided to intensify efforts to safeguard the temple properties. 

Some commercial lands among the 234 acres owned by the temple were facing encroachments. A joint inspection with officials would be undertaken shortly, after which appropriate action would be taken to reclaim the assets. 

Temple Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said several changes would soon be introduced in the darshan system to improve pilgrim management and streamline services, and that the use of mobile phones in the immediate vicinity of the sanctum had been prohibited.

He stated that plans were being made for the construction of a Pasupatastra Alayam on the hill. The board resolved to organise Krishnamma Harathis at the confluence of the Krishna and Godavari rivers at Ibrahimpatnam from June 5.

“The goal is to transform the temple into a model pilgrimage centre equipped with modern amenities while preserving its spiritual and cultural heritage,” Mr. Naik added.