The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Monday informed the High Court that the State government has engaged TATA Projects Ltd (TPL) to rebuild Pampa.
In an affidavit, the TDB told the court that the TPL had already conducted an inspection and a team of engineers were now preparing an action plan with respect to Nilackal and Pampa. In fact, the company had already commenced desilting work at Pampa.
Sewage treatment
The board said the company had submitted an estimated amount of ₹25,46,23,180. The TPL had agreed to restore the sewage treatment plant at Cheriyanavattom damaged in the recent flood.
The TDB also sought the permission of the court to remove and use the sand piled up after the flood on the banks of the Pampa from Chakkupalam to Cheriyanavattom. Considering the topography of Poonkavanam, depositing such a large amount of sand in and around Pampa would finally result in depositing of the sand again in the river in the next rainy season (Thulavarsham).
The depth of the Pampa, especially from the upstream of Triveni to Cheriyanavattom, had been reduced considerably due to the deposit of sand. Therefore, removal of this large volume of sand from the riverbed was inevitable to prevent frequent flooding of the Pampa. However, the Forest Department was not giving permission to keep the sand taken from the river anywhere near Pampa.
The TDB said the sand could be utilised for rebuilding Pampa and other necessary works of Pampa and the Sannidhanam. This could be used for filling the damaged portion of the service road to the Ganapati temple and further upwards.
