Sabarimala Master Plan Stalls Amid Pending Approvals; Devotees Fear Projects May Affect Rama Padam at Pampa Triveni and Original Sarankuthi
Thiruvananthapuram: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has not approved the allocation of forest land for key projects included in the Sabarimala master plan. Although the state government had issued an order two years ago handing over revenue land in exchange, a final decision to allot forest land is still pending.
As a result, major projects such as the safety bridge from Pampa Ganapathy Temple to Hilltop and the ropeway project have come to a standstill. The state had sought 4.53 hectares of forest land for constructing a ropeway from Pampa Hilltop to the Sannidhanam police barracks. In return, 4.5336 hectares of revenue land in Punalur taluk of Kollam district were transferred to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation through a government order. However, approval to convert forest land for the ropeway project has not yet been granted. According to the Ministry, the proposal is currently under consideration by the National Board for Wildlife.
The Ministry also raised objections when details of the safety bridge were uploaded on the Parivesh portal, denying permission on the grounds that the project was not included in the Sabarimala master plan. The state government responded that the decision to construct the safety bridge was taken following the 2018 floods in Pampa, and that it is included in the Pampa layout plan approved on January 9, 2025. Despite this, no progress has been made in securing forest land.
Of the projects announced in 2011, only permission for soil testing has been granted so far.
Meanwhile, the contractor, Damorvalli Corporation, is exploring the possibility of expanding the master plan and starting the ropeway project from Nilakkal instead of Pampa. The company is expected to approach the Sabarimala High-Level Committee with this proposal. While the ropeway was originally planned for cargo transport from Pampa under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, there are indications that the company is now also targeting pilgrims.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has opposed this move and plans to raise objections in the master plan committee. Officials point out that the revised proposal would require additional forest land and the surrender of more revenue land.
At the same time, Many devotees and Ayyappa organizations have expressed concerns that Sabarimala and its surrounding areas contain several important heritage sites. They point out that at Pampa Triveni, there are believed to be the footprints of Bhagwan Rama, which, according to Ayyappa Devaprasnam findings, need to be protected. Another site of significance is the original Sarankuthi location in the valley, which has also been identified in Devaprasnam as requiring preservation.
Devotees fear that the ongoing and proposed project works could negatively affect these sacred sites. They have urged the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to protect these locations and make appropriate changes to the project plans to ensure their preservation.