An expert committee has suggested using hand pump for drawing water from the 22 holy water sites of the famous Sri Rameswaram temple.
In their report submitted to the Madras High Court, they said withdrawal of water for bathing should be minimised and sea water intrusion also should be minimized by using hand pump for drawing water.
It also suggested a treatment system for water draining after its use by the pilgrims.
The sewage disposal into the sea should also be controlled, they said.
The bench here had issued directions for constitution of an expert comittee to find out the possibility of linking the 22 holy water sites in the temple by a pipeline and sprinkling water on pilgrims at one place.
A division bench comprising Justice R Sudhakar and Justice V M Velumani had earlier directed the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappali and Anna University to constitute the committee while hearing a PIL seeking direction to authorities to maintain the sanctity, serenity and holiness of the temple and its precincts.
The petitioner M Vennila, a Coimbatore-based woman lawyer, alleged that visitors to the temple had to suffer from contagious diseases due to "nauseating and unhygienic" conditions.
The case had been posted for further hearing to February 25.
