PATHANAMTHITTA: Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam on Sunday assured measures for the speedy implementation of Sabari rail and airport project will be taken as part of boosting the basic facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims.
“The Centre will be ready to offer funds and other assistance for the completion of the Sabari rail project which was launched 25 years ago and continues to face problems like land acquisition and alignment,” Kannanthanam said during the ‘Sukhadarsanam’ programme organised by the Press Club here. On the Erumely airport project, Kannanthanam said once the Kerala High Court pronounces the order favouring the government in the land ownership case, the Union Government will initiate measures for the project’s early implementation.
“If the court order is against it, the government will have to take over the ownership rights of the land after holding talks with Believers Church,” he said, adding the airport project will be useful not only for Sabarimala pilgrims but also for the people of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta.
Funds for pilgrim tourism circuit project
Kannanthanam said the Centre had already cleared the D100-crore pilgrim circuit project linking Sabarimala and Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram. The Centre will clear more pilgrim circuit projects once proposals come from the state government, he said.