This season, pilgrims from Karnataka bound for the popular pilgrimage centre of Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, can look forward to some special facilities put up by the Karnataka government.
A high-level advisory committee, chaired by Minister for Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary, on Thursday discussed ways to provide facilities for the estimated 20 lakh pilgrims from the State. Heads of departments of Home, Transport, Revenue, Forest and Muzrai participated in the meeting.
Briefing media persons after the discussion, Mr. Poojary said every precaution will be taken to provide security to the pilgrims from the State, besides creating health facilities to meet exigencies. The Sabarimala Yatra Samiti, headed by the Revenue Secretary, has been formed.
While the Revenue Department would be deputing 30 of its personnel, the Police Department will send over 90 officials, with knowledge of Kannada and English.
Lakshmi Hospital, a local medical centre in Sabarimala, had agreed to open a 20-bed hospital for Karnataka pilgrims. Besides that, the government was planning to draft services of two hospitals in Pampa and Sannidhana to provide round-the-clock health service to pilgrims from the State.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar will launch a website that provides information to pilgrims on November 29. Help desks would be set up in Pampa and Sannidhana. Two vehicles, each with Kannada boards, would be kept ready in Sabarimala to meet exigencies.
