Land to be acquired for upgrading facilities at Thiruvallam Temple

Thiruvananthapuram: District administration is all set for direct purchase of land to upgrade the facilities at Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swamy temple managed by Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
The government has given sanction to the collector to initiate procedures to directly purchase 66.6 ares (1.6 acres) in Thiruvallam village for temple’s development. The devaswom commissioner had earlier requested sanction for acquisition for the same and collector has been told to convene the district-level fair compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement committee (DLFC) with land owners.
The collector will also have to ensure that approval under various rules – like Kerala Conservation of Paddyland and Wetland Act, coastal regulation zone rules and Environment Act (whichever applicable) – is obtained from the authority concerned before proceeding with the purchase. DLFC will conduct negotiations with land owners and reach a consensus regarding land value and furnish proposals to be placed before the state-level empowered committee.
“The number of devotees coming here for vavu rituals has increased and we are struggling to cater to their needs. That’s why a plan was proposed to acquire land so that facilities can be improved,” said TDB president A Padmakumar.
TDB commissioner had sent a letter to the government informing that the board was trying to ensure basic amenities for devotees who come for ‘bali tharpanam’. The extent of land available is insufficient to accommodate devotees especially during Karkidakavavu. The commissioner had also informed that it may take a long time to hand over the acquired land after completing formalities.
The board had sought the option of direct purchase – after approving the land value through the collector – to do away with the existing delay and hurdles. It will enable the devaswom to get the land quickly. The commissioner also requested a sanction for direct purchase of land.
Meanwhile mayor VK Prasanth convened a meeting of officials as part of vavu bali preparations at Thiruvallam on Friday. He directed officials to complete cleaning of drains, maintenance of streetlights, repair of pump house in a time-bound manner.