THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom and Transport Minister V S Sivakumar has announced a slew of projects to be taken up before the start of the next Sabarimala pilgrimage season.
After attending a three-hour-long evaluation meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by Ministers of Industry, PWD, Forests and Finance, Devaswom Board president, Board members, various department heads, MPs and MLAs from Pathanamthitta district, he told a news conference here on Tuesday that after a long gap, the last pilgrimage season had passed without any major hiccups or complaints.
Before the start of the next season, the second floor of the Nadapanthal in Sannidhanam would be constructed with the help of sponsors.
The tender would be invited for the sewage treatment plant in Sannidhanam in April. The capacity of the sewage treatment plant in Pampa would be enhanced and the tender would be invited by March .
He said the Nadapanthal would be extended to Marakoottam from Pampa. Two sections of the new queue complex would be constructed ahead of the next season. 90 percent of work on one queue complex under construction has been completed and over 50 percent of work on the other has also been completed .
A new plant for production of appam and aravana would be set up at a cost of Rs 12 crore with the assistance of sponsors. The capacity of the Kunnar dam would be enhanced at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Sponsor support would be sought for this project also.
Road to be Widened
The Minister said the Vandipperiyar- Mount Estate- Sathram Road would be widened and transport would be allowed next year in the wake of stoppage of traffic on the Kozhippara route.
Land would be allotted for the construction of police mess. Police Department would use its fund to construct the building.
As part of managing the crowd in Erumeli, the Erumeli township would be set up including the same in the Sabarimala master plan. Additional Chief Secretary has been asked to submit a project report in this regard before March 31. A water supply scheme would be implemented at a cost of Rs 51 crore. The tender for this would be invited soon.
74-km Road to be Constructed
The Minister said that 74-km of roads connected to Sabarimala would be constructed by spending Rs 58.45 crore. There would be five-year maintenance guarantee for the roads being constructed.
Rs 7 crore for Kanamala bridge
The Minister said that Rs 7 crore would be spent for the construction of the Kanamala bridge after obtaining the approval from the Forest Department.
A parallel drinking water pipeline would be laid from Pampa to Sannidhanam.
Tender for this would be invited soon.The hospital at Nilackal would be functional throughout the year. New staff would be allotted for the hospital. The land required for the KSRTC station would be allotted in Nilackal.