TDB seeks time to set up facilities

Kochi: The Travancore Devaswom Board on Tuesday informed the High Court that it has constraints at present to establish the facilities needed for young women devotees at Sabarimala. In an affidavit, the TDB submitted that more facilities needed to be created for implementing the entry of young women devotees to the hill shrine.

The TDB has sought time till the implementation of the Sabarimala master plan for creation of the necessary facilities. It also submitted that it has made the maximum possible arrangements within the constraints. It said the shortage of time and the restrictions imposed by the central high-power committee had slowed down the work. More time has been sought for the implementation of the verdict in the Supreme Court.  

The board submitted the affidavit in a petition filed by four women seeking protection for undertaking Sabarimala pilgrimage. The court has directed the three-member expert panel comprising two retired High Court judges and DGP of Fire and Rescue Services to look into the details submitted by the TDB. The panel has also been asked to examine the facilities currently available at Sannidhanam, including the toilet facilities there and at Pampa.

The affidavit has given the details of the toilet facilities. The TDB stated that the dormitory, drinking water, free meals and temporary nadapandal had been completed.  The court rejected a plea by the government that the expert panel should be asked to submit a report within a time-frame.