Sabarimala pilgrimage to commence on Nov 17: Minister

Pathanamthitta, Oct 14 (UNI) Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran today ordered all concerned departments to complete arrangements relating to 'Mandalam-Makaravilakku' pilgrimage at Sabarimala, which will begin on November 17, on a war footing.

Mr Sudhakaran directed the Health departments to take precautionary measures against infectious diseases in the backdrop of the prevalence of Chikungunya.

He was speaking at a review meeting on Sabarimala at the Collectorate here.

District Medical Officer said the special mosquito eradication squads would be deployed at Pampa, Sannidhanam and Pandalam. Fogging and spraying would also be resorted to in and around the Sabarimala.

So far ten ambulances have been kept ready at various points in the district. About 150 Oxygen parlous would be set up Pampa-Sannidhanam sectors.

Travancore Devaswom Board President G Raman Nair said free food would be served to 10,000 pilgrims daily. Toll-collection would decentralise. The Board would build 480 toilets and 100 persons would be posted to provide drinking water to devotees along with the trekking path from Saramkuthy to Sannidhanam. Two transformers each would be installed at Pandalam and Erumely to tackle the voltage deficiency problem.

The Pampa station of KSRTC would become operational on November 12. The Civil Supplies Corporation would open a medical shop and a hotel at Pampa. About 520 workers would be recruited from Pampa for sanitation work.

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