Kerala spends ₹70.37 Cr on Sabarimala, plans ₹1,000 Cr projects
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has spent ₹70.37 crore on various development projects for the Sabarimala temple between 2016–17 and 2024–25, the state Assembly was informed on Wednesday.
State Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan said successive governments since 2016 had undertaken and completed several initiatives under the Sabarimala Master Plan. Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, the High-Level Committee overseeing the plan sought ₹18.39 crore from the state, of which ₹15.69 crore has already been released.
The minister noted that the government had approved the layout for the temple’s base camp at Nilakkal in 2020, followed by layouts for Sannidhanam (the temple precincts), Pampa and the trekking route. “Continuous government intervention has helped speed up works under the Master Plan,” he said.
According to official estimates, the first phase of Sannidhanam development (2022–2027) will cost ₹600.47 crore, followed by ₹100.02 crore for the second phase (2028–2033) and ₹77.68 crore for the third phase (2034–2039), bringing the total to ₹778.17 crore.
For Pampa, ₹207.48 crore has been earmarked — ₹184.75 crore for the first phase (2022–2027) and ₹22.73 crore for the second (2028–2033). Development of the trekking route is projected at ₹47.97 crore across two phases (2022–2026). Together, the planned expenditure for Sannidhanam, Pampa and the trekking route stands at ₹1,033.62 crore.
Beyond the Master Plan budget, the government has also spent ₹116.41 crore through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to improve pilgrim facilities, including the construction of rest houses at Kazhakkoottam, Chengannur, Chirangara, Erumeli, Nilakkal and Maniyankode.
The figures were disclosed in response to a question raised by MLAs P. Anilkumar, Eldhose P. Kunnappilly and C. R. Mahesh.
Located in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district at an altitude of 3,000 feet in the Western Ghats, Sabarimala is one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations. The shrine draws millions of devotees annually, with tradition requiring a 41-day penance before a barefoot climb from the banks of the Pampa River.
With IANS inputs
