Kerala Seeks Sponsors For Sabarimala Development

Reviewing the progress of development works in Sabarimala, the Chief Minister said instructions have been given to complete the work of the second floor of the Nadapanthal at Sannidhanam as part of the Sabarimala Master Plan.

L and T has informed that this work would be completed within four months at a cost of Rs 27 crore. 'Rs 26.5 crore has been allotted for the Sabarimala Master Plan till now while Rs 130 lakh has been given as grants to Panchayaths and Rs 118.6 crore for cleaning up activities,' he added.

The Appam and Aravana plants would be renovated at a cost of Rs 12 crore and a fully automatic compact machine for preparing Aravana would be installed before the next season, Dewasom Board President M Rajagopalan Nair said.

Nadapanthal would be erected in the Pampa-Marakootam stretch before the commencement of the next pilgrim season.

Two more queue complex would be completed before Vishu.

Mr Chandy also gave instructions to complete the work of the check dam in the Sabarimala forest as a study report on environmental impact in this regard has been received.

DGP Jacob Punnoose said the advance queue reservation will be doubled by next season. The parking space at Nilakkal would be developed and fee can be collected on a time-bound basis, he added.

A bridge will be constructed at Pengattukadavu. Facilities would be provided for opening an operating centre at Nilakkal for KSRTC. Temporary barricades would be erected at Vandiperiyar and Pullumedu.

Ministers VS Sivakumar, K M Mani, K B Ganeshkumar, Adoor Prakash, Ibrahim Kunju and M K Muneer were among those at the meeting. (UNI)