The modern toilet complex under construction near Malikappuram at Sabarimala is unlikely to be completed this pilgrim season. The delay in clearance from the Forest Department for cutting 12 trees at the project site and incessant rain in the forest have been cited for the slow pace of work.
The work on the new toilet complex is at its initial stage and concreting of the column footing is yet to begin.
Toilet facility will be limited near the Annadana Mandapam this season. The TDB will have to direct pilgrims to Paandithavalom, which has better public toilet facilities. The TDB had demolished 60 toilets for constructing the new toilet complex near Malikappuram. Besides, 21 toilets had been damaged in the excavation relating to the modern sewage treatment plant. Jolly Uillas, TDB Chief Engineer, said there were 985 public toilets, besides 1,280 toilets attached to rooms, offices, pilgrim shelters, donor houses, and rest houses at the Sannidhanam.
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Experts say the toilet facility at Sabarimala is inadequate as thousands of pilgrims congregate at the holy hillock during the peak days of the pilgrim season.
The situation at Pampa is no different as the high power committee is unlikely to complete the construction of the two toilet complexes. Though TDB engineers claimed that at least one toilet block could be made operational in the first half of December, how far contractors would be able to continue the work during the peak days of the pilgrim season is a matter of concern.
The committee had demolished two dilapidated toilet blocks at Pampa too, earlier.
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The work on the two-storey Annadana Mandapam at the Sannidhanam too is unlikely to be over this year. TDB authorities said the ground floor of the mandapam would be completed in a few weeks.