Madurai: Deputy mayor T Nagarajan on Thursday submitted a letter to the commissioner of the Madurai Municipal Corporation, seeking an immediate halt to the demolition of the Rani Mangammal chattiram, situated opposite the Madurai Junction railway station. The deputy mayor highlighted the historical importance of the structure and urged its preservation.
Historical Significance of Rani Mangammal Chattiram
In his letter, Nagarajan noted that Rani Mangammal of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, who reigned from AD 1689 to 1704, carried out numerous public welfare works for the general public and travelers. Among these, the chattiram was described as the most significant. The building, spanning 8,700 square feet with 97 rooms, served as a resting place for devotees and travelers, making it a historically important monument. The deputy mayor also pointed out that several outer ring roads in revenue department records are named Mangammal Salai, which he said is a testament to Rani Mangammal's governance and enduring influence.
Alleged Demolition and Official Response
According to Nagarajan, information was received that the monument was suddenly being demolished. An inquiry with concerned officials yielded no proper response. Officials initially claimed that only the Karuppatti chattiram was being demolished and that the Mangammal chattiram was untouched. However, when the deputy mayor personally visited and inspected the site, demolition work was in progress. The letter demanded that the demolition be stopped immediately, the monument be preserved without altering its antiquity, and an appropriate inquiry be conducted against those responsible for the demolition, with action taken accordingly.
Official Confirmation and Next Steps
A senior corporation official confirmed that only the Karuppatti chattiram was scheduled for demolition. 'I have received a copy of the letter from the deputy mayor, and we will look into it,' the official said. The letter was also forwarded to the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the additional chief secretary of municipal administration and drinking water supply department, and the director of municipal administration in Chennai.
