Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendrandirected officials of various Government departments to speed up the arrangements to be put in place ahead of theSabarimala pilgrim season. Speaking at a review meeting held at the Devaswom Hall in Erumely in the district on Friday, the minister directed the concerned officers to complete the works in the district in a time bound manner.

Importance was given to ensure the safety of motorists at the Kanamala region in Erumely which is a highly accident-prone zone. The minister directed the PWD to develop the route from Mukkoottuthara-Pampavalley via Eruthvapuzha-Keerithodu as an alternative to the Kanamala route.

The DMO said that a temporary trauma care centre will be opened at Kanamala. He also said that more medical and para medical staff will be posted in the district to meet any emergency during the season. TheMedical College authorities said that a special ward will be arranged at the Hospital for advance medical care.

The PWD official informed the meeting that sign boards will be placed at appropriate places and those advertisement boards which distract the attention of drivers will be removed.

Police will open control rooms at various places and will install CCTV cameras.

The RDO informed the meeting that the autorickhsaw and taxi fares have been fixed and the fare list have been published.

A control room will be opened at Erumely to coordinate the activities of various departments. The local bodies jointly with the KSEB will take steps to light street lamps at various pilgrim centres on the way to Sabarimala.

KSRTC will be operating 10 per cent more buses this season than last time. To reduce the traffic congestion in Erumely, relocating of the KSRTC stand will be considered. Erumely panchayath president, KSRTC and the Police will jointly decide about it.

The forest department will be entrusted to provide drinking water, light, toilet facilities and light food during the journey through the forest roads.

The excise department will conduct inspections to stop the sale and use of narcotics.

The minister directed the district supply officer to display the price list in five south Indian languages in all the eateries.

The KSEB officials informed that the Kanjirappally and Mundakkayam sub stations will be operational soon ensuring the unhindered power supply.

 Travancore devaswom board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said that out of the Rs 99.98 crores aid got from the Centre for the development of Sabarimala Pilgrim centres, Rs 2.5 crores will be used at Erumely. Since the consent of the high court is needed, a master plan will be prepared and the projects will be implemented by next year.
The minister also urged the pilgrims to completely avoid plastic during their pilgrimage.
 District collector C A Latha, district police superintendent N Ramachandran, Devaswom Board members Ajay Tharayil, K Raghavan, Erumeli Panchayath President T S Krishnakumar and various department heads took part in the meeting.
SOURCETimes Of India
SHARE