TDB plans to waive user fee on toilets

SABARIMALA: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is planning waiver of the user fee levied on the toilets through contractors from the next pilgrimage season. Talking to the Express, TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair said that the measure could prevent exploitation of pilgrims by the contractors who allegedly levy double the official charges. A decision on the waiver of the user fee would be taken at the next Board meeting, he said. The TDB would lose a total revenue worth Rs 1.50 crore from the contractors who bag the contracts for the clean upkeep of the toilets numbering around 2,500 at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal, Rajagopalan Nair said. The waiver plan was taken in view of the widespread complaints from the pilgrims against the contRactors who levy exorbitant rates by closing down half number of toilets purposefully so that they could levy extra amount of their choice, Nair said.SPONSORS TO BE WOOED: Rajagopalan Nair said that the TDB would rope in sponsors to meet the expenses for the upkeep of the toilets, including  900 in Sannidhanam, 1,200 in Pampa and 400 at Nilackal. He said an estimated amount of Rs 2.50 lakh would be required for the clean upkeep of the toilets.TDB PLANS FREE FOOD AT NILACKAL: Rajagoplan Nair said that the devaswom would launch a free food scheme for the pilgrims at Nilackal during the Makaravliakku season. Initially, the TDB would give free food for a total number of 1,000 pilgrims. If needed, the free food facility would be enlarged to cover more pilgrims during the peak Makaravilakku season days, Rajagopalan Nair said.MORE VOLUNTEERS FOR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY: Rajagopalan Nair said an additional number of 200 volunteers would be deployed for the supply of medicated DRINKING water for the pilgrims during the MakaravilakKu season.The TDB would also distribute biscuits to the pilgrims hEld up in long queues between Saramkuthi and Nadapandal.