The State Budget has made an allocation of ₹28 crore for various basic infrastructure development projects envisaged in the Sabarimala Master Plan and has set apart ₹80 crore for supplying water to Sabarimala and to various medical colleges in the State.
Pampa Action Plan
Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said the government would explore the possibility of reviving the Pampa Action Plan which was abruptly stopped 10 years ago.
A Pathanamthitta-based task force would be constituted for chalking out a comprehensive action plan for the Pampa.
The Upper Kuttanad region in the district will also benefit from the proposed lake and environment conservation plan for Kuttanad. Aranmula snakeboat regatta (Vallamkali) will benefit from the allocation of ₹16 crore for boat races. Dr. Isaac has set apart ₹20 crore for executing various projects as part of the Varattar rejuvenation project.
The State Budget has made allocation for the construction of a new bridge across the Varattar at Vanchippottil-kadavu. Dr. Isaac recalled the contribution of former Chengannur MLA, K.K. Ramachandran Nair, who had taken the initiative to demolish the causeway that had blocked the free flow of Varattar at Vanchippottil-kadavu. He said the proposed bridge would be named after the MLA who passed away in January.
Allocation has also been made for constructing bridges across the Varattar at Thrikkayil-kadavu, Aanayar, and Puthukkulangara.
The budget also proposed a rubber park for Pathanamthitta.
Though the budget has not mentioned the proposed Erumeli airport project, it says that land acquisition for airports will be completed in 2018-’19.
