Cargo ropeway under consideration

Sabarimala master plan will be implemented in a time-bound fashion: Sirijagan

The High Power Committee (HPC) for implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan is exploring the possibility of executing the cargo ropeway linking Pampa and Sabarimala Sannidhanam and a new tractor road at Sannidhanam, according to committee chairman and former High Court judge S. Sirijagan.

Mr. Sirijagan told The Hindu that tractors plying the Pampa-Sannidhanam path had to be stopped by making alternative arrangements for goods transportation to ensure pilgrims’ safety.

Mr. Sirijagan said the High Power Committee was for executing the master plan in a time-bound fashion.

“The HPC is for executing various pilgrim amenity schemes in an eco-friendly manner. The Ayyappa devotees, Travancore Devaswom Board, Forest Department, and HPC have got equal responsibility to protect the sacred grove of Sabarimala situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve,” he said.

The ropeway project should be given top priority as it would stop the dangerous plying of tractors on the Sabarimala path.

Tractor road

The HPC at its meeting on November 13 had decided, in consultation with senior Forest Department officials, to construct a tractor road deviating from the existing road from near the Forest Inspection Bungalow to connect the Lower Tirumuttom through the backside of the Valiyanadappanthal at Sannidhanam.

Ironically, the Forest personnel at Sabarimala blocked the road work at Sannidhanam later.

Mr. Sirijagan said he would take up the issue with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests during the next HPC meeting to be held on December 1.

Joint survey

The High Court has appointed M.S.P. Kurup, senior lawyer, the advocate commission for conducting a joint survey of the forestland at Sabarimala in a time-bound manner.

The dispute between the Forest Department and the TDB over the land in each other’s possession would be over once the joint survey is conducted, he said.