The Hindu Business Line : Infrastructure facilities still inadequate at Sabarimala

Kochi, Nov. 5 Even as the beginning of next pilgrimage season is just a fortnight away, contrary to expectations no significant progress has been made so far in implementing the projects for the overall development of Sabarimala and as a result the infrastructure facilities continue to remain quite inadequate for millions of devotees.

No progress has been made so far either to implement the long-pending Pampa Action Plan (PAP) under the National River Conservation Programme (NRCP) or in executing the much-talked about master plan prepared by the Consultants Ecosmart — Ayyappa devotees as well as NGOs involved in protecting the river Pampa.

Implementation of first phase of the PAP at Sabarimala Sannidhanam and Pampa, the base of the hill, is imperative as the pollution of the river takes place during the pilgrimage season, when millions — estimated at around 50 to 60 — trek to the hill shrine every year.

Urgent need

Realising the urgent need to put an end to the pollution, the lifeline for millions of people living down stream in the river basin, the NRCP included the river Pampa in its national programme about five years ago.

The NRCP had approved the project costing around Rs 320 crore to be implemented in three phases.

For implementing the first phase of the project, involving a total investment of Rs 18.45 crore, the NRC Directorate under the Ministry of Environment and Forests had accorded administrative approval and sanctioned Rs 12.92 crore (70 per cent Central share of the total cost) in May 2003.

The first phase, as per NRCD schedule, was to be completed by the end of 2006-07. Most of the components of the first phase were to be implemented by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), as the works were to be taken up in Sabarimala and Pampa under its jurisdiction.

Non-implementation

“But lack of co-ordination between the Government Departments and absence of an independent implementation agency could be the reason for its non-implementation,” Mr N.K.S. Nair, General Secretary of the Pampa Parirakshana Samithi, told Business Line.

After a four-year wait, what had been implemented as part of the first phase was construction of three check dams with shutters — vented cross bars (VCBs) — across the Pampa and two other streams at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore, he said.

But, what was urgently needed was the construction of a 3-million litre per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant at Sabarimala and 1.5 MLD treatment plant at Pampa, so as to arrest the flow of all kinds of wastes into the river.

Non-starter

On the other hand, the mega perspective master plan for Sabarimala involving an investment of an estimated Rs 25,000 crore, spread over about 45 years, in fact, remained a non-starter.

There might be constraints for funds if it is not implemented under BOT route, which is viewed by majority of devotees as commercialisation of Sabarimala.

The IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd had prepared the master plan (Perspective: 2050) and it was accepted by the State Government for implementation early this year. However, execution of work as per the plan has yet to acquire momentum, according to official sources.

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