High-level meet on Sabarimala on June 2

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport and Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar said on Thursday that a high-level meeting would be convened here on June 2 to discuss the development of Sabarimala and ensure arrangements were in place for the next pilgrimage season beginning in November. Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists’ Trust, Sivakumar said that ministers, department heads, members of the high-power committee appointed by the High Court and Travancore Devaswom Board officials would attend the meeting. The government is committed to implement the Sabarimala Master Plan, he said. ‘’I have already held two meetings, the second one was attended by the Chief Minister. The aim is to prevent mishaps such as the Pulmedu tragedy and ensure all arrangements are in place well ahead. Infrastructure development at Nilackal, the maintenance of PWD roads and the renovation of the KSRTC bus station at Pampa are among the priorities,’’ he said.About the KSRTC, Sivakumar said that the intention was to pull it out of the red, make it economically self-sufficient and develop it as a public-friendly service. On whether a fare hike was on the cards, he said that the government was committed to improve the KSRTC by not whittling down at the benefits of the employees and not imposing additional burden on the public. The pension liabilities of KSRTC were on par with salary and this issue will be sorted out after discussions with the government, he said. Sivakumar also announced that two vacancies - that of a full-time chairman for the KSRTC and a TDB member - would be filled soon.