Indian Oil Corporation inks deal for Sabarimala rest places

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Devaswom Boards to set up ten ‘Edathavalams’ (halting places) at various parts of the state for Sabarimala pilgrims. Devaswom Boards are planning 36 Edathavalam’s across the state, all attached to various temples. Ten of them are being set up by IOC for Rs 102 crore. In return, land would be given by the boards to IOC for setting up retail fuel outlets.

The agreement was signed by officials Devaswom Boards and IOC officials in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran here on Tuesday. The Edathavalams will have facilities like parking space, food courts, wash rooms, short stay facility, vehicle repair facility and fuel station.

The ten places were IOC is setting up the rest places are Nelliyode Bhagavathy Temple in Kannur, Kadamapuzha bhagavathy temple in Malappuram, Thrithallur Siva temple in Chavakkad, Thirivanchikulam temple near Kodungallur, Mudikkod Shiva temple in Trissur, Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy temple in Ernakulam, Haripad Subrahmania temple, Keezhillam Mahadeva temple, Aranmula Parthasarthy temple and Kazhakoottam Mahadeva temple. Official sources said that the work on the ten Edathavalams is expedited to completed before the next pilgrimage season. Other PSUs such as BPCL too have shown interest in the project. The project also has the nod of KIIFB.