TDB to extend free food coverage

SABARIMALA: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will extend the free food distribution coverage to pilgrims at Sannidhanam and Pampa in the wake of closing down of hotels as part of checking exploitation of pilgrims.Addressing newsmen at Sannidhanam Devaswom Guest House here on Friday, TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair said that the devaswom annadanam facility at Malikappuram was functioning non-stop during the day and distribute food till 11 pm.He said that the TDB would distribute noon meals from Saturday at the nearby annadana mandapam at Malikappuram in addition to the distribution of breakfast.The Board would be ready to offer new premises to the voluntary organisations engaged in free food service to enhance the distribution coverage.The TDB would initiate measures to extend the free food distribution at Pampa in view of the curtailment in the number of hotels there, he said.RESTING PLACERajagopalan Nair said that the TDB’s semi-permanent building for providing nightshelter to the pilgrims would be dedicated immediately.The new facility could accommodate around 2,000 pilgrims at a time, he said.He said that the Board would give another seven pilgrim shelters, earlier used as godowns, for providing resting place for pilgrims consequent on the demolition of shelters at Pandithavalam for providing space for witnessing Makarajyothi.QUEUE COMPLEXRajagopalan Nair said that the TDB’s queue complex near Saramkuthi would be ready before December 31.The queue complex, having a capacity to accommodate 3,000 pilgrims, would have basic facilities such as toilets, medicated water supply and resting place, he said.MAINTENANCE WORK ON TREKKING PATHThe TDB chief said that urgent steps would be taken to ensure safe trekking for the pilgrims on the queue path between Marakoottam and Saramkuthi.