Even as dozens of surveillance cameras and police personnel are guarding the priceless treasures at the Sree Padmanabha Swami temple, safety concerns are loud and clear.
A fear is that the temple remains vulnerable to underground robbery bids, though the state government plays down its chances.
Popular belief is that there are tunnels connecting the temple to the Kaudiar Palace of the Travancore royal family on the one side, and the Arabian Sea on the other.
The police took the service of the Centre For Earth Science Studies (CESS) to locate the presence of such tunnels, if any, and initiate steps to plug the possibilities of any underground robbery bids.
A team of scientists from the CESS conducted some preliminary examinations and proposed a detailed scientific study to locate whether any tunnels exist at present.
But the proposal is pending with the government owing to what it calls the “financial commitments” involved in the endeavour.
State home department official said the proposal would be considered only in the next phase of security enhancement for the temple. “We do not see any immediate robbery threat to the temple from the underground. Hence the proposal is not being given top priority,” he said.
However, police officials say, considering the value of the treasure in the temple chambers, and in view of the wide publicity it got in recent months, robbery bids could not be ruled out.
“We are ready to commence the study at any time, but are awaiting the government sanction,” sources at the CESS said.