The six-odd oxygen parlours, announced on the first day of the Mandala Pooja on May 16, the much-awaited facility to help pilgrims suffering from respiratory problems walk through the Swami Ayyappan Road here, have yet to start functioning.
Though the temporary shed for the oxygen parlour facility, jointly managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, the Akhila Bharata Ayyappa Seva Sangham and the Health Services Department, has been completed, the lack of trained volunteers and shortage of oxygen cylinders has halted the implementation of the project.
With the inflow of pilgrims rising, the delay in the functioning of oxygen parlours is likely to create problems for the authorities, with respect to providing first-aid facilities to pilgrims in distress.
When contacted, the TDB sources said that the temporary sheds for the six oxygen parlours had been completed on the very next day following the announcement.
The delay on the part of the Health Department in providing medical kits and other facilities, including training for ABASS volunteers to man the parlours, has led to the present situation. Howeverm ABASS office-bearers at Sannidhanam said that they have the adequate number of volunteers, who will be deployed when the gree signal is given.
With casualties already rising to eight this season, the delay in the functioning of oxygen parlours is a serious issue, and may become an even bigger concern as the pilgrims pour in.