The Governing Body of the renowned Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala is implementing an Rs.500 crore master plan for overall development of Sabarimala and various temples connected to it.
A trust has also been constituted under the name ‘Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Annadana Trust' to provide free food to pilgrims coming to the temple.
Addressing a press conference organised here on Monday by the Ariyankavu Devasthana Sourashtra Mahajana Sangam, Travancore Devaswom Board member K. Cicily said that the Trust was being formed with the approval of Kerala Government, Central Government and the Supreme Court.
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The temple was offering free food to all pilgrims at Pampa, Nilackal and Erumeli besides at Sabarimala itself.
A High Power Committee was also formed by the Kerala High Court to coordinate, implement and monitor the various projects envisaged under this master plan.
A ‘Sabarimala Master Plan Infrastructure Fund' has been created and registered as a trust to mobilise resources and sponsorship for these projects, she said.
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She also released a booklet on the scheme that outlined the proposed development works to be taken up. They include a roof for the walk way from Sannidhanam area to Malikappuram, a water tank with 20 lakh litres capacity and 320 toilets and 80 bathrooms at the Sannidhanam area.
Further a resting shed spread across 20,000 sq.ft has been proposed at on the Pampa and trek routes besides cardiology centres at Appachimedu and Neelimala.
Construction of a police station and barracks at Nilackal has also been proposed along with incinerators for solid waste disposal.
Also at Nilackal, land parcels have been earmarked for construction of separate lodging facilities for pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The State of Karnataka had already allocated Rs.5 crore in its budget this year.
Ms. Cicily also appealed to devotees to contribute to the Annadana fund and Sabarimala Infrastructure Fund for the development of the temple and other temples connected to it.