Ropeway project between Pampa Hilltop and Sabarimala will start soon
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
Kochi: At the fag end of the last pilgrim season, the Travancore Devaswom Board authorities had promised to start executing the proposed ropeway project between Pampa Hilltop and Sabarimala as soon as the season ended.
Almost a year later, it looks certain that the project would be further delayed as the contractor has demanded a new clause to ban headloads to be included in the agreement.
The agreement with the Kolkata-based Damodar Ropeways & Infra Ltd was almost fixed at a high-powered committee meeting held last week in which the Devaswom Board president, the Devaswom Commissioner and the chief co-ordinator among others held talks with the company officials.
“We had then confirmed that the contract would be given to the company on a BOT basis. But then a minor issue arose as they wanted to ban headloads (cargo movement) on the ropeway. This may even affect the ritual of carrying ‘Irumudikettu’ by the pilgrims,” said Mr K. Jayakumar, chief commissioner.
Apart from facilitating the travel by elderly people, the purpose of the ropeway was to ease cargo movement. The official, however, hoped that the issue would be sorted out at the earliest.
A senior devaswom official said the development would further delay the project. “It would require a minimum of 18 months for the project to be completed once the pact is signed. In this case, the environment clearance from the centre is yet to be secured,” he said.
When contacted, Dewasom Minister V.S. Shivakumar said he had “no idea of the present status as the board is concerned with the pact signing.”
All other contractors have withdrawn from the bid even as the board is set to “terminate Kochi-based Ajith Associates who were the consultants for the Nilackal base camp,” Mr Jayakumar said.
( Source : dc )
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