"Planned Escalator Upgrade in Malaysia's Ancient 400 Million-Year-Old Cave Temple"

Management of an ancient Hindu religious site in Malaysia, namely Batu Caves, revealed plans to install an escalator as an alternative for visitors who may have difficulty, or are unable to ascend the 272 steps leading to their temple and sanctuaries in the cave. Batu Caves remain one of Malaysia's foremost attractions appealing greatly to tourists. The caves function as a religious site for Hindu devotees and annually shoulder the Thaipusam festival as their focal point. Conveniently situated a few kilometers north of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, the site carries an age of approximately 400 million years. The distinctive staircase painted in various rainbow hues boosts its visibility, especially to Instagram users. To reach the temple encased in a limestone cave at the top, visitors are obligated to ascend a steep 272 stairs. Introducing an escalator is projected to increase the site's accessibility, posited a spokesperson from the site management committee at a press conference held on Friday. "We anticipate that the government will support us because this (escalator) will facilitate the disabled and elderly who are unable to climb the stairs to reach the main temple," said R. Nadarajah, the temple committee president. Commencement of the escalator's construction, as well as a new "multipurpose room," is slated to begin after this year's Thaipusam festival celebrated on January 25, added Nadarajah. A projection of about 35 million Malaysian rupees (US$ 2,240) is estimated for the room's cost, Nadarajah revealed, without specifying the escalator's cost. Tourists flock to the Batu Caves in droves to marvel at the unique rainbow stairway, which was colored as part of an initiative by the temple's organizing committee to increase foot traffic at the site. Functionaries at Batu Cave claim the strategy has proven successful and cite the vibrant staircase growing in popularity among Instagram users. Nonetheless, disagreements surfaced when Malaysia's heritage board claimed the steps were painted prior to the makeover’s approval.