PATHANAMTHITTA: With the five-day monthly pooja commencing at the Sabarimala temple, concerns have surfaced over the availability of LPG as the hill shrine prepares for the upcoming Sabarimala festival on March 22.
According to Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials, the situation is manageable for the time being as adequate LPG stock has been arranged for essential services, with the intervention of the district administration.
Additional stocks were allocated following directions from the district collector, while temple authorities have also initiated steps to regulate consumption within the shrine complex.
“A load of LPG cylinders was delivered at Pampa by Saturday noon. Apart from that, the preparation of offerings and food for the free meal distribution to devotees is being carried out using steamers,” said a TDB official.
Officials also pointed out that the Board’s LPG consumption is not very high, even as they acknowledged that cooking gas remains the primary fuel for the numerous eateries operating within the pilgrimage zone.
The TDB had earlier approached the district administration seeking urgent intervention to address the shortage during days when the temple remains open. Following this, the district collector directed the district supply officer to examine the issue and submit a report to the supply commissioner. Subsequently, a load of LPG cylinders was immediately taken to Pampa to stabilise supplies.
Despite these measures, uncertainty persists as the stock is expected to last only for the immediate period if the ongoing supply disruption continues. Devotee organisations have expressed concern that the shortage could soon turn serious if the situation does not improve.
“The situation may be manageable for now. But it could turn difficult when the temple reopens on March 22 for the 10-day annual festival. Tens of thousands of devotees are expected then, and the authorities will have to act on a war footing to ensure that the shortage does not affect services,” said Mohan Rao, Telangana general secretary of Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham (ABASS).