Chengannur Railway Station Ready to Welcome Sabarimala Pilgrims; Repair Works Completed
Chengannur: Chengannur Railway Station is ready to welcome pilgrims arriving for the Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku season, with development works worth Rs 50 lakh completed using funds sanctioned by the Railway Board.
Kodikunnil Suresh MP visited the railway station to review the progress of infrastructure and passenger facilities being arranged for Ayyappa devotees. Most of the works proposed at an earlier meeting have been completed.
The approach road in front of the station has been tarred, while painting works are in their final stages. Repairs to toilets, measures to address water leakage in buildings and maintenance of facilities for pilgrims to rest have also been completed, the MP said.
He said efforts would continue to ensure better facilities and smoother travel for pilgrims, considering Chengannur's importance as a major railway gateway to Sabarimala. The official inauguration of the KSRTC bus service from Chengannur Railway Station to Pampa will be held on November 16 at 10 AM, he announced.
Meanwhile, a review meeting was held to assess preparations at Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple, an important edathavalam (pilgrim resting centre) used by thousands of Sabarimala devotees.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for drinking water, sanitation, toilets, healthcare, emergency medical services, traffic management and parking facilities.
Kodikunnil Suresh directed officials to ensure coordination among departments and complete all arrangements before the beginning of the Mandala season. He stressed the need to deploy sufficient staff and facilities in advance, particularly in view of the expected increase in pilgrim arrivals.
He also instructed departments to complete their assigned responsibilities on time and regularly monitor the progress of preparations. The MP said there should be no compromise in ensuring the safety and convenience of pilgrims and assured that necessary support would be provided to develop Kottarakkara as a well-equipped pilgrim resting centre.