Mini-Pampa to be official Sabarimala transit point

The bathing ghat at Kuttippuram, popularly called Mini-Pampa, will soon be declared an official transit point of Sabarimala. The government is all set to endow the bathing ghat near the Kuttippuram bridge with the official status of Sabarimala transit point.

 Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said here on Friday that the official declaration would take place next week. He said Mini-Pampa was being developed spending Rs.10 lakh, considering the halt there of Sabarimala pilgrims from northern Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

 He said the vulnerability of the bathing ghat for accidents too was a reason for revamping it. Several people, including pilgrims and tourists, had drowned at the bathing ghat. Mr. Anil Kumar said better facilities would be installed at Mini-Pampa. Although the work would begin soon, the Minister said that the renovation would be completed only by the next Sabarimala season. 

The Minister asked District Collector M.C. Mohandas to submit a draft plan within a week for renovating Mini-Pampa. Mr. Anil Kumar said all protective measures would be taken to minimise accidents at the bathing ghat. High-mast lamps would soon be erected, he said. 

 The District Tourism Promotion Council has appointed six life guards at the site. Eleven more people will be appointed there in view of the influx of pilgrims during the Sabarimala season. The Minister said one more boat would be launched at Mini-Pampa with the help of the district panchayat. Ten police personnel would be put on duty at the site. 

The help of the Health Department would be ensured to provide medical aid for the pilgrims, he said. Iron barricades would be erected at the bathing ghat, he said. Flags and danger warnings would be erected at places with potential danger. Toilets would be set up at Mini-Pampa for tourists, he said. 

 The Minister said a Sabarimala transit point outside the purview of the Travancore Devaswom was being made considering the number of pilgrims visiting Mini-Pampa and the dangers lurking there.