Ramachandran Nair, J. Shri K.Babu, the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, has forwarded a report before this court as Report No.45/14 highlighting the requirement to provide facilities to the pilgrims at Kumily, Vandiperiyar and Sathram. In the light of the said report, this Court impleaded the Secretaries of Kumily and Vandiperiyar Grama Panchayats, as additional respondents.
2. The learned counsel Sri P.K.Vijayamohanan appears for the respective Panchayats. We heard the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board and Sri P.K.Vijayamohanan. Separate statements have been filed by the Secretaries of Vandiperiyar and Kumily Grama Panchayats. Therein they have explained the details of steps taken to provide facilities to the pilgrims. Going by para.4 of the statement filed by the Secretary of the Vandiperiyar Grama Panchayat, the Panchayat has made a provision of Rs.5 lakhs in its budget for the current year for providing additional facilities to the pilgrims to Sabarimala during this Mandala Makaravilakku Season. It is also mentioned that surrounding the temple at Sathram, an extent of 5 acres of land of the Devaswom Board is available and there is an extent of 1 ½ acres of poramboke land is also available. For facilitating parking arrangements over the above extent of 5 acres of land belonging to the Devaswom Board and the poramboke at Sathram, the Panchayat has cleared the ground. The other facilities provided by the Panchayat are lighting and drinking water. It is also stated that there is a proposal for construction of 50 latrines on temporary basis.
3. Apart from the above, it is assured that the community hall of the Panchayat and the ground can also be utilised by the pilgrims for taking rest. The further information furnished is that arrangements will be made for providing drinking water at four centres along the side of the National Highway and that boards will be displayed indicating the direction, bath ghats and drinking water facilities in different languages. It is also stated that there is a community health centre having inpatient facility of 60 beds capacity. It is assured that separate medical teams rendering medicine in Ayurveda, Homoeo and Siddha as also Ambulance will also be provided. They also have made arrangements for the special announcement system and lighting arrangements at Kakki junction and Spencer junction which are the deviation points to Sathram, and the Panchayat is making all the services free of cost. Para.10 will show that the Panchayat has already issued tenders for the works for clearing the parking areas, construction of temporary latrines, new LED lighting, light and sound at Sathram, Kakki junction and Spencer junction, and by engaging additional staff procurement of phenol and bleaching powder and the waste disposal will be done. We appreciate the steps taken by the Panchayat in the matter.
4. Regarding the Kumily Grama Panchayat it is clear from the statement filed by the Secretary that for providing Edathavalam for the pilgrims, an extent of 3000 sq.meters space is available on the side of the National Highway at Chelimada junction near to the MMJ Plantations and about 4000 sq.meters of land is available near the Holiday Home junction, Kumily. It is stated that by clearing the land and providing necessary lighting, drinking water and toilet facilities the area can be used for the parking and stay. It is clear from para.4 that the District Collector had convened a meeting and he has made available an amount of Rs.5 lakhs to the Panchayat and the Panchayat has also made a provision of Rs.3 lakhs in its annual budget for the above purpose. With regard to the toilet facilities, it is mentioned that they are available in the private bus stand and the K.S.R.T.C bus stand and the Panchayat is also proposing to construct two e-toilets near the bus stand and N.H road side. It is further stated that at the comfort station near the Panchayat Bus Stand there are 40 toilets for the use of the pilgrims and for maintenance of the same, a provision of Rs.50,000/- has been made and steps are being carried out for maintenance work. It is also stated that the Panchayat has already initiated steps for clearing the drains and disposal of solid waste and sewage and an amount of Rs.1,50,000/- has been provided for the sanitation work by engaging additional workers and a provision of Rs.30,000/- is made for purchasing bleaching powder. With regard to mike announcement and installation of destination boards also, they have made arrangements. These facts have been disclosed in para.7. We appreciate the works undertaken by the Kumily Panchayat also, and all arrangements will be made for the proper upkeep and welfare of the pilgrims.
This S.S.C.R is accordingly disposed of.
Sd/-
T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR Judge rtr/ Sd/-
P.V.ASHA Judge /true copy/ P.S to Judge