As the Sabarimala season approaches, agencies have said to speed up key works
With less than two months left for the start of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season, authorities have stepped up pressure on agencies to speed up road and infrastructure work. (Photo for representation)
With less than two months left for the start of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season, authorities have stepped up pressure on agencies to speed up road and infrastructure works and directed that the road works under the Sabarimala package be completed within the stipulated time.
The District Development Committee, which met in Pathanamthitta recently, sought expedited action on the delay in the works being carried out by the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB). Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu called for an inspection of the alignment and shifting of utilities for the Ranni bridge to be completed within a week. With the pilgrimage season approaching, Mr. Madhu also sought to set up a traffic police station at Vadasserikkara before the start of the season.
The Aban Junction flyover in Pathanamthitta town has also come under scrutiny, with Abin Varkey, MLA issuing strict instructions to the KRFB executive engineer to complete the work immediately.
A meeting will be held between the District Collector and MLAs from Adoor and Aranmula to discuss the construction of Vayarpuzha Bridge. Mr Varkey also sought faster completion of the work at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital.
Stray dog menace in Kottayam
Meanwhile, Kottayam District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena has announced a meeting of elected representatives and officials of local self-governing institutions to look into the menace of stray dogs in the district.
The move followed concerns raised at a meeting of the District Development Committee over the increasing number of stray dogs in various parts of the district, including the Kottayam Medical College campus.
The participants also highlighted the dumping of food waste by visitors to the Medical College Hospital (MCH) on its premises, saying it was contributing to the problem of stray dogs. The authorities will examine measures, including the possibility of setting up a community kitchen, to solve the problem.
Officials of the National Highways Authority of India told Francis George, MP that the boundary demarcation as part of the survey for the widening of the national highway would be completed within two weeks. Mr George also called for speeding up work under the MP Local Area Development Plan.
He also sought steps to divert some Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) night services through Kottayam MCH and through the road in front of Kottayam railway station.
Ahead of the Sabarimala Mandalam season, Rony K. Baby, MLA, sought to speedily complete road repair work in Kanjirapally constituency. Poonjar MLA MJ Sebastian also called for a special meeting to review Sabarimala preparations in his constituency.
Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital authorities said they are exploring steps to introduce an ePOS system for services at the institution.
There have also been complaints about labs and scanning centers near the MCH allegedly charging exorbitant fees. Authorities said the possibility of excluding institutions that charge excessive fees from the MCH schemes will be discussed in the Medical Faculty Development Committee meeting. The District Medical Officer said that all such institutions have been instructed to prominently display the rates of various tests.
Published – 27 Sep 2026 19:38 IST