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NEW JERSEY, USA September 1, 2004: Citing traffic and environmental concerns, Bridgewater residents recently voiced strong opposition to a proposed 47,000-square-foot expansion of the Sri Venkateswara Temple. Another public hearing was scheduled for October. Resident Diane Mine said that they have no objections to a church on the allotted acreage for the Bridgewater community, but this proposal was to serve outsiders. Temple officials said the congregation includes about 300 residents from Bridgewater and about 350 others from surrounding towns. There are about 1,100 registered members. The temple was opened in 1998 by the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society. The plan proposes to double the total size of the existing temple and community building, replace two priests’ houses, build a two-story car park and gain access to the 20-acre temple site from Route 206 to reduce traffic on residential streets. A religious processional walkway was approved in 2001. Temple officials say another expansion, especially to the community center, is required to accommodate the large crowds of their multilingual and multicultural community during cultural and religious events, some of which must at present be held elsewhere. Residents voiced concerns about outside worshippers, increased traffic posing a safety threat to children, restrictions to future expansion, the temple’s hours of worship and the need for priest quarters. Temple member and township Resident Viswanathan Subramanian said his ethnic community had limited resources, but needed to fulfil its needs. The temple has offered Indian-language, dance and educational programs, Hindu prayer services and holiday celebrations.

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