Sabarimala seeks smooth passage for devotees

SABARIMALA, Nov 16: Sabarimala Chief Coordinator N V Madhavan has called upon the heads of various government departments to extend maximum...

SABARIMALA, Nov 16: Sabarimala Chief Coordinator N V Madhavan has called upon the heads of various government departments to extend maximum help and cooperation to the Sabarimala devotees.

Addressing the coordination committee meeting held at the Pampa Maramath conference hall yesterday, Madhavan asked the Public Works Department PWD authorities to complete the maintenance works of all the roads leading to Sabarimala immediately. The meeting decided to accommodate maximum vehicles at the Nilackal estate of the Farming Corporation.

Additional Director General of Police Subba Rao and Pampa Special Officer Tomin J Thachankary expressed dissatisfaction over the condition of roads. Subba Rao pointed out that long stretches between Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta were marred by potholes and deep gutters. The Laha stretch on the Plappally-Chalakkayam route and Kanamala on the Thulappally-Plappally route were also in bad shape, he said.

Police officials said that a number of shops had come up between Pathanamthitta and Chalakkayam encroaching upon the PWD road. They wanted to remove these structures immediately. They urged the Travancore Devaswom Board not to allow shops in the parking areas. A strong police force has already been deployed at Pampa and Sannidhanam. Their number will be increased during the peak season.Kerala State Regional Transport Corporation Managing Director Krishna Moorthy said the corporation would begin Inter-State services from December 1. Plans were also on to operate services between Kozhikkanam and Uppupara on the Kumili route.

Temple opens

Hundreds of devotees had darshan of Lord Ayyappa at the famous hill shrine at Sabarimala when the temple sanctom sanctorum was opened for the two-month-long mandalam-makaravilakku season in the early hours of today.Travancore Devaswom Board president VGK Menon told reporters that all arrangements had been completed for the smooth conduct of the festival this year.