The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Tuesday sought more time to put in place additional facilities for women pilgrims at Sabarimala, Pampa, and Nilackal.
In a statement filed before the Kerala High Court, the TDB said some more time was required to make available additional infrastructure such as rest rooms and wash rooms at Sabarimala, Pampa, and Nilackal to ensure the safety and well being of women pilgrims.
Even though it had undertaken to set up additional infrastructure, it could not be executed for want of time and also in view of the objection raised by the Central Empowered Committee. In fact, additional facilities could not be provided at Pampa because of the stringent conditions imposed by the committee on permanent structures there, said S. Jayasree, TDB secretary.
The board submitted that there were certain pay-and-use rest rooms for the pilgrims at the Sannidhanam but they were not separated for men and women. However, 272 toilets were set apart for women devotees. In Pampa, 20 toilets were exclusively earmarked for women. Besides, four units of temporary sheds were provided for women to change dress.
The board brought to the notice of the court the fact that it had already filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking more time for giving effect to the judgment allowing entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala.
The statement was filed by the TDB in response to a court directive to inform it of the infrastructure facilities available on the temple premises and the facilities that the TDB plans to set up for accommodating the young women.