The Hindu Business Line : ‘Sabarimala development work moving at snail’s pace’

Kochi, Aug. 20 Implementation of the master plan for overall development of Sabarimala is moving at a snail’s pace even though the next pilgrim season is just three months away.

The IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd has 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.

Some work in accordance with the plan has taken place at the base camp at Nilakkal. They include good roads, parking facilities, solid waste management, water supply and sanitation.

The waste management method adopted at Nilakkal would do harm to the forests as the outlet from the sewage collection tank is open to the adjacent forests, environmental activists alleged. The first phase according to the draft master plan has to be completed by 2015.

The immediate plan is to set up queue complexes and a new appam, aravana complex before 2008 and work on this has already been initiated, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) sources told Business Line.

Redevelopment of Ayyappa and Malikapurathamma temples at Sabarimala has been slated to be completed before 2020. Development of Sannidhanam as a model temple settlement in conformity with traditions and religious convictions would be taken up and completed between 2025 and 2050, according to official sources.

In the first phase of the Master Plan, apart from the above facilities, solid waste management at Pampa and Sannidhanam were to be implemented. Along with these under the Pampa Action Plan, a 3-million litre per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant at Sabarimala and 1.5 MLD treatment plant at Pampa have also to be set up.

These projects, according to official sources, are under implementation but are unlikely to be competed before the coming pilgrim season.

The second phase of the Master Plan is a perspective one and to be completed by 2050. Providing sustainable basic infrastructure facilities to the pilgrims while safeguarding the environment is the overall objective of it, they said.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Kerala | Tourism

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page