₹450 Crore Mega Package for Sabarimala; Kerala Public Works Minister Assures Better Roads for Pilgrims
PAMBA: Kerala Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer has assured that roads leading to Sabarimala will be upgraded to the highest standards to ensure a smooth and safe journey for pilgrims.
The Minister was speaking after chairing a review meeting at the Sreerama Saketham Hall in Pamba on Tuesday to assess the Public Works Department's preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The meeting followed a review held in Thiruvananthapuram on July 16.
The Minister said the government's objective is not only to renovate the Sabarimala roads but also to ensure the region's overall development. The state is preparing a ₹450 crore Sabarimala development package, with ₹15 crore earmarked for road safety measures. Pending works from previous years will be completed on a priority basis.
Road safety measures, including crash barriers, speed breakers, reflectors, and signboards, will be installed along the pilgrimage routes. Vegetation on both sides of the roads will also be cleared to improve visibility and ensure safer travel.
P.K. Basheer said a joint meeting of the Public Works Department, National Highways Authority, and Kerala Water Authority will be held under the leadership of the District Collector to coordinate the works.
The Minister also announced that renovation and maintenance of government rest houses in the region will be completed before the Mandala pilgrimage season. He said special attention would be given to implementing the projects in an environmentally friendly manner.
A special meeting involving MLAs will be held in Thiruvananthapuram to resolve issues related to the pilgrimage constituencies. The Pamba review meeting was convened to ensure that all works are planned in advance and completed on schedule. Progress will be reviewed periodically, and officials have been given strict instructions to complete all works before the Mandala season.
The Minister also announced that the Central Government has granted in-principle approval for a 2-km ropeway project from Pamba Hilltop to Pandithavalam.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Pazhakulam Madhu, K.U. Jenish Kumar, C.V. Santhakumar, Rony K. Baby, M.J. Sebastian, Public Works Secretary Adeela Abdulla, District Collector A. Nizamuddin, Additional Public Works Secretary V.R. Vinod, District Police Chief R. Anand, and Public Works officials from Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts.