Thiruvananthapuram: A ropeway will be constructed to connect Pamba hilltop to an area near the police barracks in Sannidhanam in Sabarimala. Once completed, the ropeway will allow goods and emergency evacuations to be carried out between Pamba and Sannidhanam in about 10 minutes.

The project, which will be implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore, is set to begin with the foundation stone laying during this pilgrimage season.

The state cabinet is expected to approve the project once the model code of conduct for the by-election is lifted. The ropeway, which will cover a distance of 2.7 kilometres, is designed to facilitate the transportation of essential goods and provide an emergency evacuation route. 

Travancore Devaswom Board President PS Prasanth announced that the revised project plan has reduced the number of supporting pillars to be laid to install the ropeway from seven to five and the number of trees to be cut from 300 to 80.

Facilities will be set up to park up to 15,000 vehicles at Nilakkal, Pamba Hilltop, and Chakkupallam-II for the convenience of devotees. The Sabarimala temple will open for devotees on Friday evening.