Tractors resume services following Travancore Devaswom Board assurance

Kochi: The transportation of goods and materials to Sannidanam resumed on Friday afternoon after tractor drivers withdrew their protest following talks with Travancore Devaswom Board President A Padma Kumar who promised to file a review petition against an earlier court order imposing restriction on plying of tractors in the five km Pamba-Sannidhanam stretch. Nearly 50 tractors stopped plying by Thursday midnight with the employees charging that the restriction had resulted in heavy financial loss to them as only a maximum three loads of goods could be transported a single day.

The vehicles are idling for most part of the day, they charged. The strike threatened to affect the 'prasadam' manufacturing at Sannidhanam besides forcing eateries to close down. "After the talks initiated by the cops failed, the TDB president himself held talks with the tractor drivers. He assured them that the board would file a review petition against the earlier court order. The strike was withdrawn and the tractors resumed operation," said a TDB spokesperson.

Earlier this week, Special commissioner appointed by the High Court, M Manoj, issued directions to restrict tractor movement on the Pamba-Sannidhanam path to six hours a day - from 12 midnight to 3 am and 12 noon to 3 pm. However, the tractors can ply on those days when the pilgrim rush is minimum and after obtaining permission from the Pamba Special officer.