Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Arattukadavu to be repaired

SORRY STATE: The mangled fence of the Arattukadavu in the Pampa on the foothills of Sabarimala.

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Arattukadavu in the Pampa river, where the auspicious Arat (holy dip) ceremony takes place as part of the 10-day annual festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, has been badly damaged in the recent flash floods.

The metallic fencing of the ‘kadavu’ is in a mangled condition.

The Works Department of the Travancore Devawom Board has submitted a detailed estimate for renovating the ‘kadavu,’ according to official sources.

They said that the project, estimated at Rs. 3 lakhs, would be completed by September 30.

The TDB has also decided to go ahead with the proposed projects of latrine complex at Pampa and on the trekking path, urinals on the trekking route, sewage treatment plant at Sannidhanam, garbage dumping yard along the Swami Ayyappan Road, cardiology centres at Appachimedu and Neelimala-Top.

Though the TDB has decided to finalise the design and tender proceedings of all these projects urgently, it is unlikely to begin the works before the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival that begins in November.

So, this year the pilgrims will have to be contented with the facilities of the previous season.

Official sources said that the transfer of 12.765 hectares of forest land in the Periyar Tiger Reserve to the TDB for implementing various Sabarimala development projects would be completed in a week.

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