The Travancore Devaswom Board has installed suggestion boxes at six points at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam for pilgrims to give their suggestions for the smooth conduct of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage. P. Venugopal, Devaswom Commissioner, told The Hindu here on Sunday that the boxes were kept at Annadana Mandapam, the accommodation office, Malikappuram, Maha Kanikka, Sabari Guest House and the Valiya Nadappanthal near the Government Hospital.
Mr. Venugopal said the board has done away with the user fee at toilets at the Sannidhanam to check the fleecing of pilgrims by the contractors.
Similarly, the revision of room rent was aimed at checking agents and middlemen from fleecing pilgrims, especially during the rush days.
Earlier, there was no clarity on the number of pilgrims accommodated in each room. The board had decided to charge Rs. 150 for every additional person accommodated, besides introducing restrictions, to avoid misuse of the rooms. Extra care had been taken to refund the advance paid for booking rooms.
Mr. Venugopal said the board had got additional revenue of Rs. 10 crore with the introduction of e-tender.
He said the accident insurance claim for pilgrims dying in accidents at Sabarimala has been raised from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh.
Steps had been taken to supply biscuits and medicated drinking water to the pilgrims waiting in the virtual queue also.
