Date:21/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092154670600.htm

Kerala

TDB official: steps taken for smooth Sabarimala pilgrimage

Staff Reporter

13 panels formed to make arrangements for pilgrims

Call to open medical stores at Pampa
Taskforce to be formed to check Pampa pollution

PATHANAMTHITTA: K. Jayakumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Devaswom), has said that the Kerala government has taken a series of steps for the smooth conduct of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage at Sabarimala that begins in mid-November.

Mr. Jayakumar was talking to presspersons after convening a meeting of the heads of government departments and Travancore Devaswom Board officials at the Collectorate conference hall here on Saturday. He said 13 committees had been constituted to make arrangements for pilgrims at the base camps and satellite centres on the route to Sabarimala. The Kerala Water Authority, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the Devaswom Board would form a taskforce to mitigate pollution in the Pampa. The pollution sources would be identified.

Advise to officials

Addressing the meeting earlier, Mr. Jayakumar called upon the officials to see the problems of pilgrims with a humanitarian perspective, instead of thinking in terms of mere official duty. He stressed the need for opening authorised medical stores at Pampa and Sannidhanam, especially during the pilgrim season.

Mr. Jayakumar said the Devaswom Board should constitute a five-member squad to check unauthorised commerce at Sabarimala, Pampa and along the trekking path.

Care should be taken to sanction shops only under the guidelines prescribed in the Sabarimala master plan.

The Board should see to it that fire safety norms were complied with in the shops, besides taking steps to check food adulteration.