The Centre’s proposed plan to create a heritage village and boost tourism at Singaperumal Koil and nearby villages, about 40 km south of Chennai, is expected to give a much-needed fillip to the region’s development.
The government has sanctioned ₹25 lakh under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission based on the State government’s suggestion to promote heritage villages and tourism in the region.
The ‘Rurban Mission’ covers Singaperumal Koil and six villages nearby — Appur, Chettipuniyam, Guruvanmedu, Kolathur, Reddipalayam, and Venkatapuram.
Tourism potential
The funds are allotted funds to develop infrastructure including drainage system, citizen service centres, common service centres, upgradation of schools with smart classrooms, setting up emergency trauma care centre, Piped water supply, skill development centres, solid and liquid waste management and tourism promotion. A tourism facilitation centre at Singaperumal Koil with dormitory facilities has been planned too.
Singaperumalkoil region has become one of the most-sought after residential locations for the past two decades due to industrial units and tech parks such as Mahindra World City and educational institutions nearby.
Being part of the Chengalpet district, the region is home to ancient temples and popular among them is the cave temple of Padalathri Narasimha at the heart of the village. A rock-cut temple built by the Pallavas reported to be 1,500-year old.
A few kms away, the village Chettipuniyam is known for its 400-year old Yoga Hayagreevar temple.
“Though people visit the Narasimha temple in large numbers, particularly during weekends, there are no adequate facilities for parking and other amenities. Requests have been made several times to the State government for creating basic facilities. But nothing could be done so far,” says KT Lakshmi Narasimhan, whose family has been living near the temple for generations and is also associated with the temple.
Lakshmi Narasimhan says the region has several lakes built to conserve excess water during the rainy season. “No work has been carried out to desilt or protect these water bodies. Hope the scheme will focus on preserving these water bodies too. Actually, Chengalpat districts is known as district of lakes and protection of water bodies in this region will go a long way in improving ground water levels,” he added.