Copra plant to give way for gallery

The copra plant in front of Sannidhanam will be shifted before next season.


The plant which functions round-the-clock as a disposal facility for the huge quantity of coconuts collected at Sannidhanam is expected to be shifted at the earliest.


“As part of Sabarimala master plan, the place where the plant currently
functions is the right place to view Ponnambalamedu where Makaravilakku is
seen.


The decision came after last year’s Pulmedu tragedy on the occasion of Makaravilakku. So a gallery is proposed at the site to enable the pilgrims to watch Makaravilakku without any hindrance”, said M. Satheesh Kumar, executive officer.


The pilgrims will henceforth be able to watch Makaravilakku from Sannidhanam instead of climbing Pulmedu 8 kms away from Sabarimala where 102 lost their lives last year in a stampede.


“It is proposed to shift the plant to Pandithavalam, but it will be too difficult to transport the coconut from Sannidhanam and Malikappuram to Pandithavalam in the midst of Ayyappas coming from various sides. The matter has been presented before Devaswom Board”, Mr Chandra Babu, supervisor of the copra plant, told DC.


“There is some land beneath the present plant that belongs to devaswom board. It can be utilised for the plant and we have been asked to submit a proposal on this matter by the Board,” he added.