The Hindu Business Line : Sabarimala plan to be implemented in phases: Minister

The master plan for the development of the pilgrimage centre Sabarimala will be implemented in three phases and in a time-bound manner, according to the Minister for Devaswom, Mr G. Sudhakaran.

The Minister said after a review meeting here on Wednesday that a three-member panel comprising the Additional Chief Secretary, Mr K. Jayakumar, the Travancore Devaswom Board Commissioner and the Chief Engineer would prioritise the works to be taken up over five years and submit a report within a week.

He said that works estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore covering the ‘prasadam’ complex, queue complex, ropeway, cardiology centre and sewerage treatment would be taken up soon.

The board will explore the possibilities of implementing the projects through sponsorships and public donations. An implementing agency will be put in place to complete the works. All the major works would be completed before November and the priority was to provide drinking water and resting facilities for the pilgrims, the Minister said.

The preparatory sessions for the next festival season will begin in March. A meeting of the Devaswom Ministers of southern States will be held in the first week of March to elicit their views on the conduct of the festival.

The total income from Sabarimala during the just concluded festival season was Rs 132.61 crore, while the income from the ‘Sannidanam’ alone was Rs 112 crore. The expenses were at Rs 43.75 crore, Mr Sudhakaran said.

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