12-member panel to inspect fire-hit mandapam in Meenakshi temple

The team comprising officials from various departments would conduct a fire safety audit and the fate of the shops would be decided based on the report of the team said Madurai Collector, K Veera Raghav Rao, here on Wednesday. The Collector along with temple officials inspected the ongoing pillar support work in the damaged Veera Vasantha Rayar Mandapam and inquired with officials of the temple and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. He also inspected the Pasupatheeswarar Sannadhi and the roof that collapsed on Tuesday. 

The Collector also visited ‘Pudhu Mandapam’ where over 300 shops are located. He later addressed the media and said that in the fire accident, the 7,000 sqft Veera Vasantha Rayar Mandapam, located south of the 1,000-pillar hall, was completely damaged. Though the fire spread to many parts of the temple except the Veera Vasantha Rayar Mandapam, no other part of the temple was damaged. 

An expert team comprising officials from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Department, TNEB, Madurai Corporation, HR&CE, police and revenue are involved in clearing debris from the temple and after that the fire and rescue audit would be taken up. The audit team has sought one week to submit its report. The fire audit would examine if all the 115 shops in the temple are safe from fire mishaps and if they can function in the temple. 

The Collector said under the ‘Smart City’ scheme, the Corporation has already taken steps to provide alternate space for the shopkeepers.