SABARIMALA: As another pilgrimage season ends, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is mooting a proposal to ensure a smooth journey and darshan for devotees next season. TDB is also trying to reduce the time a devotee spends at Sannidhanam to 44 minutes from nearly four hours over the next two-three years."We are demolishing buildings and shifting structures close to Sannidhanam. As per the master plan prepared in 2007, no structures are allowed within 50m of the temple. We will shift appam/aravana production unit from Sannidhanam. We held talks with Central Food Technological Research institute, Hyderabad. They may be able to supply appam and aravana required by us and negotiations are going on. Also, if we can manage time in a better way, we can control the rush to a great extent," said TDB president A PadmakumarAs of now, there is no dedicated place for pilgrims to untie Irumudikettu. "So, a dedicated space will be provided for untying Irumudikettu. Another plan is to provide a big box for collecting the ghee for Neyyabhishekam from devotees. Devaswom employees will collect the ghee from the box every morning for the ritual. The ghee given after ritual will be supplied to devotes at the exit counters near the old Annadana mandapam near Malikappuram temple. This will ease waste collection. All the waste (unused things in the Irumudikettu) including broken coconut can be collected from a single point," said a TDB official.Safety and security aspects too are being considered. "Around 450 LPG cylinders are being used at appam/aravana production unit at Sannidhanam. This poses a risk in the entire area. That's another reason why we are planning to shift the same," he said.An experts' team comprising UN disaster management expert Muralee Thummarukudy will be visiting Sabarimala before preparing a disaster management plan. As per the master plan, Sannidhanam and base camp of Pamba will have to be decongested. "The flood forced us to shift all major offices, comfort stations and parking to Nilackal. This has become a blessing in disguise to implement suggestions in the master plan. Earlier, people would be camping at Pamba for a long time," he added.

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