Kerala budget 2025: Sabarimala set for eco-friendly development

Sabarimala awaits an environment-friendly development that will make it one of the best pilgrimage centres in the country as finance minister KN Balagopal assured implementation of Sabarimala master plan. The govt sanctioned Rs 1,033.62 crore for development of the pilgrimage centre.
This includes Rs 778.17 crore for development of Sannidhanam, Rs 207.48 crore for Pamba Manappuram and Rs 47.97 crore for the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam.
"A total of Rs 47.97 crore will be expended for development of this trekking path, out of which Rs 32.88 crore will be for the first phase from 2022 to 2025 and Rs 15.09 crore for the Phase II from 2024 to 2026," the minister said.
The state cabinet had approved the layout plan for Sannidhanam, Pamba and the truck route, prepared in accordance with the Sabarimala master plan, last month. The layout plan was designed while respecting the spiritual and cultural heritage of Sannidhanam.
The master plan also envisages converting Nilackal into a base camp and a township. Bigger constructions will come up only in Nilackal, while at Pamba and Sannidhanam, emergency constructions, that too eco-friendly ones, will come up. The plan also envisages making the Sreekovil more visible.
The minister added that Rs 545.13 crore was already expended after the LDF govt assumed office for the construction and maintenance of roads heading to Sabarimala. The estimate for the proposed Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail Line Project was revised to Rs 3,800.93 crore in 2023.
For the implementation of this project, necessary funds will be provided from the MIDP provision based on actual necessity, he said in his budget speech.