Pollution has been a problem at Sabarimala, but this season surrounding areas including the exteriors of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple have been cleaned thoroughly, said Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president M P Govindan Nair on Friday at the Kochi International Airport. He was inaugurating the help desk provided jointly by the Dhanalakshmi Bank for outstation pilgrims, to make their voyage comfortable. Besides information about the onward journey to the temple and pooja schedules, tickets for offerings and rituals including appam and aravana will be issued at the help desk, he said. The desk is manned by staff who can communicate in four different languages and will function from 8 am to 8 pm. By getting tickets from the help desk, pilgrims need not stand in the hour-long queues at the Sannidanam but can approach special counters arranged by the bank. Alongside the facilities introduced at the help desk and at the Sannidanam, he told media persons that all areas including the Pampa river have been cleaned of plastic bags and other wastes which have been creating environmental issues. He pointed out that the pilgrims coming from outstations had made it a practice to leave their old dresses at Sabarimala and return wearing a new attire. This has greatly increased pollution,he said. About the helicopter service to Sabarimala, he said that the heli-service was drawing huge criticism. Such extra conveniences are in-principle evading the real spirit of the pilgrimage and Devaswom officials are still divided on the issue whether to pursue it or not. The proposed installation of the rope-way has been progressing and tenders will be called for soon.