Kerala CM reviews arrangements at Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday reviewed the preparations made by various departments in connection with the Sabarimala pilgrim season, which is to begin next week.
Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran briefed the chief minister about the steps taken by the devaswom department. He said that all necessary arrangements have been made for the proper functioning of midway shelters where pilgrims, mostly from far-off places, rest on their way to and back from the hill shrine.
The meeting reviewed the arrangements made for drinking water supply, healthcare service, pollution control measures, toilet facilities, security arrangements, maintenance of the roads, accommodation facilities for officers being deputed for Sabarimala duty during the ensuing season.
The health department claimed to have made large-scale arrangements for providing emergency medical services to the pilgrims.
As many as 300 healthcare personnal are at Sabarimala. KSRTC would be operating 210 daily services between Pampa and Nilackal. 379 new services would be introduced towards Sabarimala from various districts.
MLAs Raju Abraham, E S Bijimol, chief secretary Tom Jose, devaswom board president M Padmakumar, state police chief Loknath Behera, ADGPs Ananthakrishnan and R Sreelekha, devswom department principal secretary Biswanath Sinha and various department heads and officials participated in the meeting.