Major projects of Sabarimala Master Plan still pending

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Though three-fourth of Sabarimala Master Plan projects have been completed prior to this Mandalam season, some of the major projects are yet to become real owing to red-tape and disagreement among government departments.

   Sabarimala Master Plan consists of projects for the development of Sannidhanam encompassing religious, infrastructural and environmental aspects.

   However, authorities in the High Power Committee for implementing Sabarimala Master Plan assured the remaining projects will be completed within next Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.

   Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President MP Govindan Nair said, “We expect to complete the three annadana Halls worth Rs 3 crore within this Mandalakalam while the Rs 26-crore Valiyanadapanthal to regulate queue system by the next. However, the cost of these projects has not overrun."

    "Also, tender has been called for a rope-way meant to ease cargo movement for temple needs and construction purposes," Mr Nair said. "Meanwhile, the floor of Nilakkal parking yard, which has a capacity for 1,000 vehicles, has been levelled and will be paved soon."

    However, some of the projects were inaugurated last week like the 45-metre-long, 7-metre-wide underpass here at Marakkoottom, which is constructed to control crowd at the junction of Swamy Ayyappan Road and Chandranandan Road. Ostensibly, the construction of the underpass was lagging due to conflict of interest between the Devaswom and Forest Departments.

    According to the Sabarimala Master Plan, there is limited space to accommodate the surge of pilgrims as the temple is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

    However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had reportedly said that projects under Sabarimala Master Plan would not be interrupted and insisted that any appeal against these projects would be redressed only through the Chief Minister's Office.

   The project envisages infrastructure development as well as ecological sustainability. “Our aim is to develop this region into a plastic-free township,” he added.

    Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Sangam President Swamy Ayyappadas said, “The preparations by Travancore Devaswom Board and the High Power Committee are satisfactory this year compared to those before. We also expect them to finish the remaining projects as soon as possible.”