JOIN USThe Kerala government will seek Rs 1,250 crore as central assistance to implement the Sabarimala masterplan that envisages comprehensive development in and around the hill shrine.
The assistance is among a 15-point charter of demands to be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with a proposal to accord a national pilgrim centre status to the Lord Ayyappa temple.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting of devaswom officials from all south Indian states that 500 hectares of forest land in the sannidhanam-Pampa region would be sought for development around the shrine.
Among the other demands are 400 hectares of land to develop Nilakkal as a base camp, inclusion of Sabarimala in the national mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, an Rs 750 crore assistance for constructing roads and other amenities, clearance of second phase of the Pampa action plan and a multi-purpose hospital.
In an effort to streamline amenities for Sabarimala pilgrims from other states, control rooms will be opened in capitals of all the other south Indian states. Representatives from south Indian states will be stationed at the control rooms in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Chengannur.