Thiruvabharanam route facing hurdles of encroachment

The procession carrying Thiruvabharanam boxes on its journey to Sabarimala on the  Thiruvabharanam path (file photo)
The procession carrying Thiruvabharanam boxes on its journey to Sabarimala on the Thiruvabharanam path (file photo)
Updated on
2 min read

SABARIMALA: Encroachments on the Thiruvabharanam procession route land between Pandalam and Perunad, especially the land that falls under the purview of Kulanada and Perunad villages, are yet to be removed, though a survey to identify them began a decade ago.

Though 530 encroachments were detected on the Thiruvabharanam route, including the 35 cases identified in the latest survey ordered by district collector R Girija, evictions have been done only in nine of them. The worst part is that fresh encroachments and installation of structures are taking place despite the land having been described as the Thiruvabharanam path. Encroachments on the land is posing problems for the thousands of pilgrims, who trek the Thiruvabharanam procession route during the Makaravilkku season days.
Political meddling, interference by the elected representatives and the laxity of the government officials is said to be behind  the delay in eviction process.

Convener of the Thiruvabharanampath Samrakshana Samithi, which had taken up the issue and brought it to the notice of the government authorities, Prasad Kuzhikala, said that the latest survey ordered by the district collector is expected to yield results. The collector had given strict instructions to identify and install survey pillars on the encroached land, he said.

The latest survey team members were asked to take measurements on the total area of the encroached Thiruvabharanam land, Prasad said.

Revenue authorities asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to install the survey pillars on the land, where survey is completed, Prasad said.

The Thiruvabharanam Samrakshana Samithi would continue the campaign till all the encroachments on the land are removed, Prasad said. The samithi sought from the TDB that measures be undertaken for the task of eviction to be completed.

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