Sabarimala Road maintainence – Kerala Govt. ignores HC direction & Devotees plea

There are allegations against the state government for unduly delaying the supply of bitumen (tar) to contractors for repairing roads to Sabarimala and thereby creating a lapse in their maintenance. A report with regard to the same has been submitted to the Kerala HC by the Special Commissioner appointed K Babu.

Senior PWD and National Highway officials have stated that the government had failed in supplying bitumen to contractors,” said K Babu adding that Bitumen is supplied by Bharath Petroleum Limited.

Stating that there has been gross violation of HC order by overlooking maintenance work, Babu said, “There are a large number of Sabarimala roads leading to Pathanamthitta-Pampa main trunk road as well as Erumely-Elavumkal road. Maintenance work had not even commenced in these areas. This stands in gross violation of High Court order.”

The report submitted states that the “High Court had directed the state government to ensure that PWD and National Highways shall complete maintenance work on Sabarimala roads before the end of October every year.” The order was issued on February 6, 2013.

In spite of the repeated pleas by the Devaswom Bench of High Court seeking timely repair and maintenance of Sabarimala roads, administrative sanction was given only on October 10.

“Many experts have also opined that delayed repairing and maintenance would affect quality of work,” said Babu.

According to the report, “motorability of various link roads leading to Sabarimala has been adversely affected due to lack of proper and timely maintenance. The portion of the road after the tarred area is ill maintained, posing danger to motorists as well as pedestrians,” says the report.

It further states that “measures like jungle clearance, levelling of roadsides, erection of crash barriers, and installation of blinking lights, mirrors, reflectors, and so on are to be done on an emergency basis.”

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