Mata Amritanandamayi Madhom at Vallikkavu in Kollam has promised to deploy as many as 2,000 sanitation volunteers for the proposed intensive pre-pilgrimage cleaning drive at Sabarimala and Pampa, District Collector P. Venugopal has said.
Mr. Venugopal said this was announced by representatives of the Madhom at an official meeting held at collectorate conference hall here on Wednesday.
The Collector said the high power committee chaired by Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar had decided to conduct an intensive waste disposal and cleaning drive at Sabarimala and Pampa in association with various religious and non-governmental organisations.
Gurudas Chaitanya of the Madhom said the Madhom would arrange mechanical as well as manual implements for waste collection and disposal by their volunteers.
The Collector said as many as 300 sanitation volunteers attached to Satya Sai Seva Trust, Nehru Yuva Kendra, National Service Scheme, and Ranni block panchayat would participate in the drive.
Addressing the meeting, Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu promised all necessary support and assistance that included food, accommodation, and tractors required for shifting the waste.
Mr. Vasu said the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) would operate incinerators at Pampa and the Sannidhanam during the period. The government and the TDB would provide boots, gloves, and implements for waste collection to those volunteers deployed by agencies other than Amritanandamayi Madhom.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would inaugurate the cleaning drive.
