The State government has sanctioned Rs.3 crore for provision of better facilities, including infrastructure for devotees expected to reach the city for the Attukal Pongala festival on Sunday.
In a statement here, Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar said Rs.2 crore of this was for works already completed by the Kerala Water Authority, Kerala State Electricity Board, and the Public Works Department while Rs.5 lakh each was for the 20 municipal Corporation wards that comprised the festival zone. The amount was sanctioned after review meetings held with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and Mr. Sivakumar himself.
The city police, meanwhile, has announced that vehicles would be allowed to park at 12 locations in the city on the festival day. According to City Commissioner P. Vijayan, these would be the University College campus, Palayam; Sanskrit College campus, Palayam; University Office campus, Palayam; Kanakakunnu Palace; St. Joseph’s School grounds, General Hospital Junction; Tagore theatre campus, Vazhuthacaud; Law College campus, PMG; Government Arts College Grounds, Thycaud; NSS College grounds, Karamana; Sri Chitra Thirunal Engineering College grounds, Pappanamcode; Government High School ground, Karamana; and the Government Model High School ground, Thycaud. The service roads on either side of the Chakka-Kovalam bypass too could be used for parking.
The Commissioner has also cautioned the devotees against using the tiled pavements in the city for preparing their hearths. Instead, the road close to the footpaths in such areas could be used. Also warning against hearths near vehicles, the police have asked vehicle owners to drive slowly in areas where the Pongala would be offered.
On AIRThe All India Radio said it would broadcast a live narration of the Pongala from its Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha stations. The broadcasts would be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2.15 p.m. to 2.50 p.m.
Regional holidayThe District Collector has announced a regional holiday for all government offices and educational institutions within the Corporation limits from noon on Saturday.
Supplyco kitsThe State Civil Supplies Corporation announced that it would distribute via its Supplyco outlets and mobile Maveli stores all essential ingredients required for the Pongala ‘nivedyam’ at reduced rates. Supplyco outlets would function at all major points in the taluk, apart from the Attukal temple premises.
Emergency relief centreThe All Kerala Blood Donors and Charity Forum will operate an emergency relief centre at Attukal on Sunday. Ambulance services, free medicines, and free food packets would be distributed via the centre, which would have doctors on call as well.
The East Fort Poura Samithi, meanwhile, said it would offer a ‘Mangala Pongala’ to express its solidarity and respect to the Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission of the ISRO. Distribution of food, drinking water, and a medical camp and ambulance service from the NIMS Heart Foundation too would be arranged by the Samithi on Sunday, according to a press release.
