Even 48 days after the devastating deluge, the post-flood scenario at Pampa in the foothills of Sabarimala is yet to show visible signs of recovery.
Basic facilities for pilgrims and a safe sewage disposal system have not yet been readied even though the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season is set to begin on November 18.
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has already given a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) expressing serious concern over the grossly inadequate waste management facility at Pampa, Nilackal, and Sabarimala to meet the exponential increase in the number of pilgrims.
Badly damaged STP
The 18-year-old chemicals-based sewage treatment plant (STP) at Cheriyanavattom, near Pampa, was badly damaged in the flood. The flocculator, agitator, diesel pump, sludge pump, air blower, panel board, and even the equalization tank are all affected, leaving the STP literally defunct.
The major sewage collection tank at Pampa Manalpuram, with a storage capacity of five lakh litres, is filled with sand, pebbles, and waste brought down by the floods. The TDB authorities are yet to clear the waste and repair the tank.
Silted sewer lines
All three sewer lines leading to the STP at Cheriyanavattom too have been heavily silted. According to PCB District Environmental Engineer Alexander George, the TDB will have to replace not less than 1,300 metresof sewer line network.
240 toilets destroyed
Three toilet blocks, comprising 240 toilets, have been damaged, leaving only 270 toilets at the Pampa Manalpuram. The TDB will have to provide not less than 500 bio-toilets with bio-digesters at Pampa.
Open defecation was a major problem at Pampa during the five-day monthly puja at Sabarimala in mid-September. The TDB should make alternative arrangements in order to check the practice, says the PCB letter.
The bridge across the Njunangar stream, leading to Cheriyanavattom, still remains buried under huge deposits of sand.
Absence of an STP is a major problem at the Nilackal base camp. The TDB modus operandi of disposing of the sewage collected from the 470 toilets in a 40-lakh litre oxidation tank will be grossly inadequate and unscientific at Nilackal.
Tata projects
Meanwhile, the Mumbai-based Tata Project Ltd. has undertaken the work on three semi-permanent pilgrim shelters, 25 reverse-osmosis plants, and 500 container toilets (20 blocks) at Nilackal. The work on all the projects is progressing fast to commission them before November 17.