Sabarimala ropeway project to kick off soon with new outline

Kollam: The construction of the Sabarimala ropeway is moving forward with important changes to its design. New plans aim to reduce environmental impact and facilitate construction work in the forest.

New tower design and location

The towers for the ropeway will be relocated closer to the Sabarimala pathway to minimise disruption of wildlife during construction. The height of the towers will increase from 30-40 metres to 40-60 metres. This change means the number of towers will be reduced from seven to five.

The number of trees that need to be cut down for the project has decreased as well, from 300 to just 80.

Construction timeline and land transfers

Construction of the ropeway is set to start soon. The forest land will be handed over before the month of Vrischikam (time of Sabarimala pilgrimage). Instead, revenue land at Kulathupuzha Kattilapara, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kollam district, will be transferred to the forest department. Nine hectares of this revenue land will be allocated to the forest department for remedial afforestation.

This move compensates for the forest land that was acquired for the ropeway project. Land ceded by 38 families as part of the voluntary rehabilitation project is being transferred under the Rebuild Kerala Development Programme. An official order regarding this will be issued after the next cabinet meeting.

Foundation stone and future operations

Recently, discussions between the Revenue, Devaswom, and Forest Ministers led to a final decision on the project. The Devaswom department plans to lay the foundation stone for the ropeway before the end of this year's Sabarimala season. The goal is to have the ropeway operational by the 2027 Sabarimala season.

The ropeway will be capable of transporting between 40,000 to 60,000 tonnes of materials each year. In emergencies, it can also carry a car-ambulance, allowing quick access to Pampa from Sannidhanam in just 10 minutes.

Project costs and construction plans

The total cost of the project is expected to rise to  Rs 250 crores. One acre of land belonging to the Devaswom Board will be utilised to build the ropeway station at Sannidhanam, with some existing forest land being handed back. The station is planned to be constructed near the Annadana Mandapam (meal hall), where some unused sheds are currently located.