The proposed vertical mobility system forms part of a ₹6.45 crore redevelopment project aimed at improving access and visitor facilities across the temple complex.
The Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has proposed installing escalators at the Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula as part of a wider redevelopment programme estimated at ₹6.45 crore.
The escalators are planned between the parking area and the darbar, running alongside the existing staircase. The new system is expected to reduce the physical effort required to reach the shrine, particularly for senior citizens and visitors who find it difficult to climb numerous steps.
The project will also introduce a staircase pathway as an alternative means of access. Together, the two routes are intended to improve visitor movement while retaining access through conventional stairs.
Beyond the escalator installation, HSVP’s plan includes a new entrance hall and main gate, upgrades to the temple approach road and improvements around Shakti Chowk. The remaining redevelopment work at the chowk will include landscaping and decorative lighting.
Several new visitor facilities have also been included in the project. These comprise a water ATM, a corridor leading towards the temple, an upasana sthal and a dome structure. Retaining and protective works will be carried out at selected locations within the complex.
Instead of undertaking the improvements through separate contracts, HSVP has combined the proposed facilities into a single redevelopment package. The approach is expected to support better coordination between access improvements, structural work, landscaping and visitor amenities.
The redevelopment is intended to create a more organised and visitor-friendly environment at the religious destination, which receives devotees throughout the year and experiences significantly higher footfall during festivals and special occasions.
HSVP has reportedly set a completion period of nine months from the commencement of construction. The project has been opened for tender, with bids invited until 26 August 2026. Work will begin after the tendering process is completed and an executing agency is appointed.
The proposed escalators also reflect the growing use of vertical transportation systems at religious and public destinations in India, where improving access for elderly visitors and people with limited mobility is becoming an important infrastructure priority.
The Mata Mansa Devi Temple is one of the region’s prominent religious landmarks. The main shrine was constructed between 1811 and 1815 and is located in the Shivalik foothills in Panchkula. Times of India report, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board