The Hindu : New Delhi News : Declare Erumely as national pilgrim centre: Veerendrakumar

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Declare Erumely as national pilgrim centre: Veerendrakumar

Calls for better amenities for pilgrims
‘Local authority faces resource constraints’

New Delhi: M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, on Thursday asked the Central government in the Lok Sabha to declare Erumeli — the gateway to renowned hill shrine Sabarimala in Kerala — as a national pilgrim centre so that the devotees are provided better amenities.

Making a special mention, he said a large number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala pass through Erumeli and it caused acute shortage of drinking water, accommodation, parking space, traffic constraints and severe pollution.

Noting that this small town in Kottayam district acted as a gateway to the hill shrine, he said this was perhaps the only one religious place where Hindu pilgrims offer prayers at a temple and mosque.

“The problem is mounting every year with manifold increase in the number of pilgrims.

Even though the local administration has taken certain measurers to cope up with the problems, because of resource constraints inadequacies could not be addressed properly on a long-term basis, Mr. Veerendrakumar said.

“The people of the area feel that the above problems can be dealt with effectively if Erumely is declared as national pilgrim centre,” Mr. Veerendrakumar said.

He said the government should take note of the sentiments of people and provide better amenities to pilgrims. — PTI

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