Thiruvananthapuram: The process of removing 6.65 lakh tins of stale Aravana from Sabarimala has begun. This Aravana, valued at Rs 6.65 crore, was banned from sale following a controversy over pesticide residues in cardamom. The damaged tins are being transported from Sannidhanam to Ettumanoor.

The removal process involves transporting the tins by tractor to Pampa, and it is expected to be completed early November. The stale Aravana, which will be dried and powdered, is set to be repurposed for other uses. The tins had been stored near Malikappuram Annadana Mandapam for over a year.

Contract for Aravana removal amid legal setbacks

A contract worth Rs 1.15 crore has been awarded to Centrifuge Pvt Ltd, based in Ettumanoor, for the removal of the Aravana. Initially, the company requested Rs 1.23 crore for the task.

The Devaswom Board had previously approached the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court order that banned the sale of Aravana. Although the court ultimately ruled in their favour, the expiry date for the Aravana had already passed by that time. The court allowed the destruction of the spoiled Aravana with government assistance, but the responsibility for the same fell on the Devaswom Board. As a result, the total loss incurred by the board has reached Rs 7.80 crore.