Pandalam Edathavalam to Get Better Facilities for Sabarimala Pilgrims; Minister K. Muraleedharan Reviews Preparations
Pandalam: The government will ensure better facilities for pilgrims visiting the Valiyakoikkal Temple at Pandalam during the upcoming Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, Devaswom and Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has said.
The minister announced the measures while chairing a review meeting at the temple auditorium to assess preparations at the Pandalam edathavalam, involving the Travancore Devaswom Board, local self-government institutions and various government departments.
With the pilgrimage season beginning on November 17, the minister directed all departments to complete their preparations in advance. He said arrangements had been underway since July, with high-level meetings held under the leadership of the Chief Minister and the Devaswom Minister. The Chief Minister had also visited Pampa and Sannidhanam to review the preparations.
Emphasising the importance of Pandalam in the pilgrimage, the minister instructed departments to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in Pandalam and surrounding areas. The Irrigation Department was directed to remove mud and silt from bathing ghats, maintain the facilities and install warning boards.
The KSEB was asked to complete all maintenance work before the pilgrimage begins, with no power-disrupting maintenance activities to be permitted during the season. The Forest Department will remove dangerous trees and branches and clear the route for the Thiruvabharanam procession.
The KSRTC was directed to operate special bus services between Pandalam and Pampa in both directions. The Health Department will make additional arrangements at the Pandalam Primary Health Centre and healthcare facilities along the Thiruvabharanam procession route. Adequate medicines and additional ambulance services will also be ensured.
The Food Safety Department will conduct strict inspections at hotels to maintain food safety standards during the pilgrimage season.
The minister also instructed local self-government institutions to immediately inform the government of any requirements for which additional assistance was needed. The meeting reviewed the progress of various works undertaken by the Devaswom Board.
He called for coordinated action among all departments to ensure a smooth and complaint-free pilgrimage season. Long-term development works at Pandalam will be taken up immediately after the current pilgrimage season, he added.
Anto Antony MP, C.V. Shanthakumar MLA, Revenue (Devaswom) Secretary M.G. Rajamanikyam, Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar, District Police Chief R. Anand, Thiruvalla Sub-Collector Parvathi Gopakumar, Devaswom Board members K. Raju and P.D. Santhosh Kumar, local body representatives, officials and political party representatives attended the meeting.