Thiruvananthapuram: In a relief to thousands of devotees, Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the Thiruvallam canal and the ghat, where 'bali tharpanam' (offering to ancestors) are made, would be made free from pollution before the coming Karkadaka Vavu bali.
Over the last many years the pollution of Karamana river at Thiruvallam has been a major cause of concern for devotees who offer bali tharapanam at Parasuramaswami temple. Many devotees were forced to keep off from taking holy dip as part of the bali tharpam ritual owing to the polluted waters.
BJP MLA O. Rajagopal, who raised the issue in a submission in the house, said that though the Chief Minister had earlier assured in the house that various steps would be taken to avoid the pollution of the canal those were yet to be implemented.
Replying to it, the Chief Minister said that necessary steps would be taken to make the Thiruvallam canal and ghat free from pollution before this Karkadaka Vavu bali.
This year’s Karakadaka vavu bali falls on August 11. The Chief Minister said that in order to prevent the solid waste from Paravathyputhenar canal flowing to the Thiruvallam ghat, a screening arrangement was being installed. The bund made by the National Highway Authority of India also needs to be fully removed to ensure proper flow of the river. Two additional pumps would be installed during the Karkadaka Vavu to ensure proper flow of water.
The Chief Minister also said that though steps were earlier taken to divert the polluted water from Parvathyputhenar to Poonthura, it had to be dropped owing to protest by local people.
Mr. Rajagopal said that though pumps were installed and workers appointed to operate the pumps, the pumps were not being operated.
