Date:20/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122054990600.htm

Kerala

AP opens centre at Sabarimala

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Andhra Pradesh government has opened an information centre at Nilackal base camp, 18 kms. away from Pampa, to cater to the transportation needs of pilgrims coming from the State to Sabarimala during the ongoing Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival season.

A 13-member team headed by Andhra Pradesh Transport Corporation regional manager K. Kedeswara Rao has been deputed for Sabarimala duty to look after the welfare of pilgrims coming from Andhra Pradesh during the festival.

Buses

According to AP official P. Hariprasad Rao, separate parking lots for vehicles coming from Andhra Pradesh have already been allotted at Nilackal.

According to him, not less than 800 buses carrying pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh reach Pampa, on the foothills of Sabarimala, on a daily basis.

Rain

Meanwhile, rain continued at Sabarimala for the second day on Wednesday and the holy hillock witnessed only a moderate crowd in the past 24 hours. The heavy downpour also caused much difficulty to the pilgrims in trekking the hills.