The district administration here has started preparations for the smooth conduct of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season at Sabarimala that begins in mid-November.
District Collector R. Girija has convened a meeting of the heads of various government departments, Travancore Devaswom Board, and other stakeholders at Sabarimala at the collectorate conference hall here on Friday.
Ms. Girija said the Public Works Department would complete the repair and maintenance of various roads leading to Sabarimala as well as the government buildings at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal before October 31.
She said the Kerala Water Authority would make appropriate arrangements for uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water at Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilackal and various other base camps of pilgrims.
Plastic ban
The administration would take effective steps to ensure implementation of plastic ban at Sabarimala.
The Forest Department would take steps to remove the plastic waste along the road between Laha and Chalakkayam.
A police-revenue team would conduct security audit along the Pathanamthitta-Pampa road as well as the Pampa-Sannidhanam path before the beginning of the pilgrim season.
The Kerala State Electricity Board authorities have been told to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal, besides proper lighting arrangements at the pilgrim centre.
The Health Department would open a special Sabarimala ward at the General Hospital in Pathanamthitta during the pilgrim season. Ms. Girija said health cards would be issued to all workers at various hotels and other eateries at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal.
TDB Chief Engineer V. Sankaran Potti said the work on the Annadana Mandapam at Sabarimala would be completed by October 31. The Mandapam would have resting space for 5,000 pilgrims, he said.
The Collector said the PWD would install sign boards in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and various other South Indian languages along various roads leading to Sabarimala.
She said healthcare personnel would be deployed at Sabarimala 15 days prior to the beginning of the annual festival. The Health Department would take preventive measures to check epidemics at Sabarimala by launching vector control drive and effective sanitation programmes.
