SABARIMALA: The Kerala Water Authority has set up drinking water kiosks along the route for Ayyappa devotees visiting Sabarimala. Devotees will no longer need to carry drinking water in plastic bottles, thanks to this initiative.

106 drinking water kiosks have been set up from Pampa to Sannidhanam. To support this, nine RO (Reverse Osmosis) plants with a combined production capacity of 35,000 litres per hour have been installed at various locations. Of these, three plants are located at Pampa, and the others are at Appachimedu, Marakkoottam, and Saramkuthi. Additionally, two plants each are installed at Neelimala and Sannidhanam.

A storage tank with a capacity of six lakh litres has been established at Pampa to ensure a consistent water supply. Similarly, tanks with a capacity of two lakh litres each have been installed at Neelimala Top and Appachimedu. Water is supplied to the tanks of Devaswom Board from a 6 lakh litre capacity tank installed at Saramkuthi.

Inspection units are functioning at Sannidhanam and Pampa for quality control. The inspection is done every one hour. In addition to the permanent employees, the Water Authority has appointed about eighty temporary employees at Sabarimala during the mandalam season.