The Hindu Business Line : TDB to finalise land deal for Sabarimala in a week

THE Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which has shortlisted the parties for purchase of over 300 acres of land for handover to the Forest Department in lieu of the forestland allotted to it, is expected to take a final decision on land purchase within a week.

The District Collectors of the respective districts are negotiating with the parties on the price and a settlement is expected next week, Mr G. Raman Nair, President, TDB, said on Thursday.

He said Mr T.K.A. Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, who has been entrusted with the development of Sabarimala by the Prime Minister, is expected to arrive in Kerala next week. During the visit, he is likely to assess the progress of the proposed developmental projects. The issues related to land would be completed before it, he said.

A comprehensive master plan for the overall development of Sabarimala and the land allotted by the Government is being prepared, Mr Nair said.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the senior KSEB and TDB officials on Wednesday, KSEB has agreed to set up a 66 KV substation near Pampa before the commencement of the next pilgrim season in November. Besides, it has been agreed to convert all temporary power connections at Sabarimala to permanent ones. On the current power tariff, the KSEB officials suggested to TDB that it should take up the issue with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Board would support its demand for reduction in tariff, Mr Nair said.

TDB had been paying Rs 14.40 per unit of power supplied at Sabarimala as the connections all these years were temporary. The forest shrine remains open for 160 days a year. But, as works are going on there is human presence throughout the year. Therefore, power supply is required for the entire year. TDB had last season paid Rs 3.5 crore towards power cost, he said.

For setting up the 66 KV Substation near Pampa two acres of land was allotted to the KSEB some 10 years ago. Besides, Rs 70 lakh was also paid then, Mr Nair said.

For the development of Nilakkal near Pampa where 90 hectares of land has been allotted by the Government. The Electricity Board will conduct a survey for providing power supply, he said.

Temple ponds and natural groves attached to shrines (Kavu) in the State would be conserved. Already, 40 ponds are under renovation. Some are so large that the cost involved in renovation of each of them would come to Rs 40 lakh, he said.

Also, to conserve the temple mural paintings and other temple sculptures, the Board has approached the State-owned Vastu Vidhya Gurukulam at Aranmula for taking up the conservation work.

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