TDB moves to revive Sabarimala master plan

Efforts are finally under way to revive the long-pending master plan for the integrated development of the Sabarimala pilgrimage zone. As part of this renewed push, Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar, who earlier served as the chairman of the Sabarimala high-powered committee that oversees implementation of the master plan, has convened a meeting on December 16.

“Members of the committee, including its technical experts, will attend the meeting to review the status of various projects in Sabarimala and identify mid-term priorities that can help ensure a smoother pilgrimage season next year,’’ he said. According to him, several key projects at Sabarimala, including the Darshanam complex, the Annadana Mandapam, and the sewage treatment plant, were executed under the supervision of the high-powered committee.

Calling ad hocism the biggest curse in implementing projects at the temple, the former bureaucrat said the meeting will also lay the groundwork for another review to be chaired by S. Siri Jagan, former judge of the Kerala High Court and the present head of the committee, on December 29. The December 16 meeting will essentially prepare the TDB to present a comprehensive status update before the committee, he added.

Sponsorship

Once the critical long-term and mid-term projects are clearly listed, the TDB may also explore the possibility of seeking sponsorship from trusted corporate houses in case of a shortage of funds. While the Kerala government approved a new master plan for the temple earlier this year, the immediate focus of the TDB will remain on the projects included in the four-volume Sabarimala master plan prepared by Ecosmart, which has the approval of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the flow of devotees to Sabarimala continues to rise. In the first two weeks of the ongoing pilgrimage season, around 12 lakh pilgrims have had darshan. Between November 16 and November 29, a total of 11,89,088 devotees visited the temple. As many as 61,190 pilgrims trekked up the hill till 7 p.m. on Saturday.