THE Batu Caves Hindu Temple Management will build an escalator at the tourist attraction this year as an alternative to the 272 steps for devotees and visitors to reach the Sri Subramaniar cave temple. 

Temple committee chairman R. Nadarajah said the escalator is one of two projects that would begin this year after Thaipusam, along with the construction of a multi-purpose hall estimated to cost RM35 million.