No escaping heavy rush as Sabarimala flyover plan goes kaput

SABARIMALA: The big plans to build a flyover connecting Malikappuram with Chandranandan Road will not be a reality anytime soon. The move was to curb the rush of pilgrims walking this way to the holy shrine. As of now, Sabarimala is witnessing a massive rush with pilgrims enduring hours of wait in this congested environment.

The plan was prepared by the Devaswom Board two years ago without even caring to prepare the estimate and outline. The project was also included in the Sabarimala master plan.

It was decided to entrust the construction to KEL, a public sector organization under the state industries department. However, when the firm demanded advance money, the government were forced to drop the plan citing financial straits. Later, the work was allotted to WAPCOS, a central government agency, but the project hit a roadblock for some unknown reasons.

If the flyover had been a reality, the pilgrims could have easily walked through this way after having darshan in the holy shrine. Those arriving and returning for darshan now pass through the large walkway on the eastern side of the temple, thus creating a stifling rush in the area.

The new flyover connecting the two gorges is estimated to be 375 meters long and 6.4 meters wide. It starts near Police Barrack and ends at Chandranandan Road. A safety corridor has also been envisaged on the bridge.

In 2005, the Army had constructed a temporary Bailey bridge here to decongest traffic.