For pilgrims alighting at Kottayam, the two-storied resting centre with toilet facilities and KSRTC buses connecting Pamba are two critical services they cherish each pilgrim season. That’s not all, Vaikom, Ettumanoor and Erumely temples are other major pilgrim centres in the district where devotees halt on their way to Sabarimala.

 Usually KSRTC adds additional buses during the season from the railway station. Last year there were 55 additional buses. This time it will be over 60, said a KSRTC official, adding that services will begin on November 15. Initially 25 buses and their staff will be posted. The numbers will be increased to counter the rush, the official said.
There will also be a resting place for pilgrims at the bus depot.Special information counter will be opened at the railway station and the bus stand. Those who are familiar with other south Indian languages and Hindi will be posted in these information counters.There will also be daily bus service from Ettumanoor temple in the evening.

The district administration is planning to distribute cloth bags among pilgrims for the successful implementation of plastic ban. However, the biggest concern is the absence of a proper waste management system at Erumely where thousands of pilgrims arrive each day during the season. Though two treatment plants were commissioned, not one is working now.

In Pullumedu, permission won’t be given to begin any wayside shops. The Idukki district administration is taking extra care for the security of pilgrims in this region. BSNL will be erecting temporary towers for mobile connectivity .
SOURCETimes of India
SHARE