Pathanamthitta (Keralam), Oct 17 Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday visited the various places associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage to review preparations and facilities for the upcoming season.
Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh, State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, Travancore Devaswom Board president A Jayakumar, Pathanamthitta District Collector A Nizamudheen A, Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu, heads of various departments and public representatives accompanied Satheesan.
He held a review discussion at Nilakkal before proceeding to Pampa, where another meeting was held at the Sree Rama Saketha auditorium with various ministers, MPs, MLAs and department heads.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Satheesan said the visit was intended to assess the progress of preparations and ensure that all departments were ready for the pilgrimage season.
“All arrangements related to temple rituals and prasadam are under the control of the Devaswom Board. Its president has assured us that there will be no shortage of prasadam or other facilities at the temple,” he said.
The police, Fire and Rescue Services and other departments had assessed their requirements in coordination with the Devaswom Board, while steps were being taken to complete pending repair works before the season, he said.
“Waste management is a major challenge when such a large number of people arrive. Clothes discarded by pilgrims at Pampa river keep accumulating even after they are removed. We are taking steps to ensure that the river is not polluted,” Satheesan said.
He said a shelter at Nilakkal would be used to accommodate around 6,000 pilgrims if the crowd at Pampa increased, with entry and exit regulated to manage the flow of devotees.
The chief minister also said the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would deploy 461 buses for the pilgrimage season, including services for tours covering various temples.
“The KSRTC is providing 461 buses this time. Facilities are also being arranged for temple-centred tour services,” he said.
The Motor Vehicles Department would conduct inspections and take steps to reduce road accidents, while improvements to dangerous bends and other road safety measures were also being undertaken, he said.
Satheesan said the government was coordinating with all departments to ensure safety and essential facilities along the pilgrimage route.
The Health Department had been instructed to ensure adequate facilities at hospitals in Pathanamthitta, Konni, Chengannur, Erumeli and Kottayam, besides those serving the Sabarimala area.
“We are integrating the work of all departments and implementing the necessary measures. We expect to ensure that the pilgrimage season proceeds smoothly,” he said.
He said that after this pilgrimage season, the government will begin work to improve facilities at Sabarimala and other connected pilgrim places.
“I have already declared in my budget that Tirupati model arrangements should be made in Sabarimala. So after this season, we are going to start that work. Sabarimala will be the number-one pilgrim centre in India,” he said.
Satheesan and Muraleedharan are scheduled to reach Sannidhanam, the temple complex, around 4 pm to assess the arrangements.
The chief minister is expected to visit the temple around 5 pm, officials said.
The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple will open on November 16 for the 41-day Mandalam pilgrimage season.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Alappuzha that security arrangements at Sabarimala would be strengthened this year.
“A review meeting on security arrangements is currently being held under the leadership of the Chief Minister. The police will convene a special meeting before the Mandalam season, bring together all concerned personnel and issue instructions,” he said.
He said that the government is taking steps to ensure that the Sabarimala pilgrimage proceeds smoothly.
“The Chief Minister is holding meetings with all departments and taking the necessary measures. The police will subsequently convene a special meeting,” he added.
(PTI News)
