Sabarimala:
A year after the Sabrimala tragedy, in which 100 pilgrims were killed, several projects under the Master Plan to improve infrastructure are yet to start.
On 14 January, 2011, 100 pilgrims to Sabarimala shrine in Kerala were killed in a stampede. This tragedy exposed serious lapses on the part of various government agencies in managing a pilgrimage of such a huge proportion.
The pilgrims had gathered to witness the 'Makarajyothi' or celestial light on the final day of the Sabarimala pilgrim season. After the stampede, authorities promised to improve facilities in the area.
But apart from these two set of barricades that have been erected, nothing much has happened on the ground.
The ban on vehicles on the forest route has made the journey tougher for the pilgrims this year.
"We cannot walk on these roads, especially old people. Authorities should build some 'pucca' roads that reach the shrine," Ganapathi Ram, a Pilgrim said.
After the tragedy last year, authorities went on an overdrive to implement the Sabarimala Master plan to improve infrastructure. However, a year later, many projects are yet to take off.
The projects which have yet to see the light of day include the development of Sathram and Nilakkal base camps, construction of a walkway from Pampa base camp to the shrine and building a roofed 'queue complex' with modern facilities for pilgrims waiting for 'darshan'.
Official have blamed fund crunch and erratic monsoon for the delay.
"We hope there will not be any problems for pilgrims during this season. Whatever facilties we could provide in a short time, we have put in place to ensure safety of pilgrims, P Chandrasekharan, Additional Director General of Police told NDTV.
The pilgrims however are resolute in their resolution to undertake the annual pilgrimage. "I am thankful to Lord Aiyappa for saving my life. I have come to Sabarimala this year also and I will continue to come here," Aravind Kumar, Sabarimala stampede Survivor said.
With most of the development projects still incomplete, authorities are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the pilgrim season goes without incident this time.