Helplines soon for Sabarimala pilgrims from Karnataka

Helplines soon for Sabarimala pilgrims from Karnataka The government had made arrangements for medical and other assistance for pilgrims from the state heading for Sabarimala. It will also set up a call centre for them to meet exigencies. This assurance was given by minister for muzrai and ports Kota Srinivas Poojari on Thursday. According to him, people from Karnataka comprise 30 per cent of the pilgrims heading for Sabarimala. About 18 lakh to 20 lakh pilgrims visit the hill temple from different parts of the state. This year, 30 policemen have already been stationed at Sabarimala. Ninety more will join them when the season starts to help pilgrims from Karnataka. A high level committee meeting of officials from various departments was held to discuss security of devotees. “We will also speak to the director general and inspector general of police Lalrokhuma Pachau,” Poojari said. All the policemen deputed at Sabarimala can speak in English. As for medical assistance, Laskhmi Hospital located near Sabarimala is offering free treatment to pilgrims from Karnataka. The government is tying up with two government hospitals to cater to the needs of pilgrims from Karnataka, he said. “A help desk will be set up at Sabarimala by the revenue department and it will be handled by the department officials. On November 29, we will inaugurate a new website containing all details of the facilities offered by the state government,” he said. Four vehicles from Karnataka will be sent to Sabarimala to help pilgrims. “We will also support the pilgrims and their families through the help desk which can be contacted round the clock. The helpline numbers will be announced soon,” he said. The department is utilising `10 crore allotted in the budget for facilitating smooth pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Kerala government has come forward to provide six acres of land to the state government near Sabarimala at Nirakkal. “We will take up construction to provide facilities to pilgrims from our state,” he said. “Our pilgrims will reach Sabarimala through four routes. We are trying our best to minimise the harassment by the Kerala officers,” he said.