Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently launched a strong critique against “vested interests” he believes are trying to obstruct vital development projects at Sabarimala.
During his address at the Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Pampa, an event marking the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) platinum jubilee, the Chief Minister directly tackled concerns and criticisms surrounding the gathering.
“As times evolve and pilgrim numbers continue to climb, our approach must adapt. It’s truly regrettable that some individuals have even resorted to legal action to impede these efforts,” Mr. Vijayan stated. He questioned whether these actions stemmed from genuine devotion, environmental concern, or religious sanctity, suggesting the motives were otherwise clear to everyone.
He reminded attendees of the government’s proactive role in revitalizing temples that had previously suffered from neglect. “During the challenging COVID-19 period in 2019, the Devaswom Board faced severe financial strain, impacting its daily operations. At that critical juncture, the government extended a significant financial aid of ₹140 crore, in addition to ₹123 crore allocated for renovation projects. These crucial contributions, however, are often conveniently overlooked,” he pointed out.
Underscoring the ongoing commitment, the Chief Minister highlighted that since the Sabarimala Master Plan began in 2011–12, approximately ₹148.5 crore has been invested in various development initiatives. “The layout plan for Nilackal, Sabarimala’s essential base camp, received approval in 2020. While initial delays by the master plan’s high-powered committee hampered fund utilization, consistent government intervention has since reinvigorated progress. Just this past January, the government approved comprehensive layout plans for both the Sannidhanam (main shrine) and the traditional trek routes at Pampa,” he elaborated.
Mr. Vijayan also addressed reports suggesting the State was planning a minority conclave shortly after the Sangamam. He clarified that the actual initiative is Kerala’s “development vision for 2031,” coinciding with the State’s platinum jubilee. “This involves 33 seminars scheduled for October, each overseen by a different government department and its respective minister, to review past achievements and chart future courses. All these seminars hold equal importance. Only one falls under the Minority Affairs department, yet some are choosing to selectively highlight it to disseminate misinformation,” he explained.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Global Ayyappa Sangamam was not an impulsive decision but the culmination of years of careful consideration. With pilgrim numbers consistently increasing, he stressed the urgent need for enhanced facilities that both protect the natural environment and uphold the sacredness of the shrine.
He further detailed that the Sabarimala Master Plan is a forward-looking strategy extending to 2050, focusing on the integrated development of Sannidhanam, Pampa, the traditional pilgrimage paths, and Nilackal.
For the Sannidhanam area, the plan allocates ₹600.47 crore for its first phase (2022-27), followed by ₹100.02 crore for the second phase (2028–33), and ₹77.68 crore for the third phase (2034–39). Pampa’s development is slated for ₹207.48 crore across two phases, while improving trek routes is estimated at ₹47.97 crore. This brings the total projected investment for Sannidhanam, Pampa, and the trek routes to a grand total of ₹1,033.62 crore.
Furthermore, between 2025 and 2030, an additional ₹314.96 crore worth of projects are envisioned to significantly upgrade and expand pilgrim facilities.