Kerala Revamps Sabarimala Road Ahead of Pilgrimage Season with ₹15 Crore Investment

Pattanamthitta, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Kerala government has taken significant steps to improve the Sabarimala pilgrimage experience by renovating a crucial section of the main route. The PWD (Public Works Department) has completed the refurbishment of the 4.5-kilometer stretch from Chalakayam to Pampa at a cost of ₹15 crore in just 30 days. This upgrade comes just in time for the temple’s two-month festival season, which begins on Tuesday.

This road serves as a vital link for pilgrims traveling by road to Pampa, the base point from where they embark on the final ascent to the hilltop temple. The timely renovations will facilitate easier access for devotees and enhance safety during the expected influx of visitors in the coming weeks.

Renovations were carried out according to modern standards, increasing the road’s width to 12 meters. Key safety features have been added, including signboards, crash barriers, and essential road markings. Additional safety measures have been implemented at sharp turns and accident-prone areas.

Concrete interlocking blocks have also been installed along both sides of the road. Originally, the project was scheduled to take nine months, but it was completed ahead of schedule, starting on October 13 and finishing on November 13.

Administrative approval for the project was granted on September 17, and the tender process was finalized by September 30. The road, previously under the Travancore Devaswom Board, was handed over to the PWD on August 14 in preparation for the pilgrimage season.

A review meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan led to the expedited commencement of the renovation work. The department faced several challenges, including a shortage of bitumen, delays in sourcing construction materials, traffic restrictions, and adverse weather conditions.

Work progressed simultaneously from both ends of the road, even during the seven days when the temple was open for rituals, with police assistance to manage traffic.

Public Works Minister P.K. Bashir hailed the project’s completion within 30 days as a significant achievement, attributing the success to inter-departmental coordination and the Chief Minister’s support. He stated that the Sabarimala road project could serve as a model for other public interest initiatives, demonstrating that major infrastructure projects can be completed on time with effective collaboration and capable contractors.