Title - Kottayam to have better facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims

Better facilities would be ensured for the Sabarimala pilgrims during the coming Mandala-Makravilakku season, Jose K. Mani, MP, has said.Speaking on the occasion of laying the stone of the proposed Pilgrim Shelter at Kottayam Railway Station, Mr. Mani said the town’s identity as a gateway to major pilgrim centres would be enhanced once the pilgrim shelter was completed. According to him, the Rs.80 lakh project would be completed before the coming Sabarimala season.The proposed shelter, a double story building, houses toilet facilities on the ground floor and resting place for more than 150 pilgrims at a time on the first floor. It will have an area of 2600 sq ft on each floor. The plan also provides for construction of one more floor in future.Kottayam, once a favoured base camp for pilgrims coming from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by trains, before proceeding to Pamba and Sabarimala, had failed on lean days on account of lack of facilities.