Kerala has poured in a whopping Rs 70.37 crore into Sabarimala development projects from 2016-17 to 2024-25, as revealed in the state Assembly on Wednesday. This big push aims to make the famous hill shrine even better for millions of pilgrims who flock there every year.
State Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan shared these details with the house, highlighting how governments since 2016 have rolled out key initiatives under the Sabarimala Master Plan. “We’ve seen steady progress thanks to non-stop efforts,” he added.
Recently, from 2022-23 to 2024-25, the Sabarimala Master Plan High-Level Committee asked for Rs 18.39 crore from the government. Out of this, Rs 15.69 crore has already reached the projects, speeding things up.
The minister also pointed out a major milestone: the government greenlit the layout plan for the temple’s base camp at Nilakkal back in 2020. Since then, plans for Sannidhanam (the main temple area), Pampa, and the trekking route have all gotten the go-ahead. These steps have really boosted the Master Plan’s momentum.
Looking ahead, official estimates show the first phase of Sannidhanam development (2022-2027) will cost Rs 600.47 crore. The second phase (2028-2033) is budgeted at Rs 100.02 crore, and the third (2034-2039) at Rs 77.68 crore. That adds up to a total of Rs 778.17 crore just for Sannidhanam.
For Pampa, the plan sets aside Rs 207.48 crore—Rs 184.75 crore for the first phase (2022-2027) and Rs 22.73 crore for the second (2028-2033). The trekking route gets Rs 47.97 crore across two phases (2022-2026).
Overall, the combined budget for Sannidhanam, Pampa, and the trekking route comes to Rs 1,033.62 crore. That’s a massive investment to enhance the Sabarimala pilgrimage experience.
On top of the Master Plan funds, the government has chipped in another Rs 116.41 crore through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). This money has gone into building rest houses for devotees at spots like Kazhakkoottam, Chengannur, Chirangara, Erumeli, Nilakkal, and Maniyankode—making the journey more comfortable.
Vasavan shared these updates in response to questions from MLAs P. Anilkumar, Eldhose P. Kunnappilly, and C. R. Mahesh.
Nestled in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district at about 3,000 feet in the Western Ghats, Sabarimala stands as one of India’s top pilgrimage sites. Devotees from across the country trek barefoot up from the Pampa River after a traditional 41-day penance, drawn to Lord Ayyappa’s shrine during the busy season. With these upgrades, the temple is set to welcome even more visitors safely and smoothly.
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