Kerala to set up Rs 6.12-crore speciality hospital at Nilakkal ahead of Sabarimala season

Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Nov 3 (PTI) The Kerala Health Department on Monday announced the construction of an advanced speciality hospital at Nilakkal, ahead of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season that is expected to draw a heavy influx of devotees.

Health Minister Veena George said the state-of-the-art hospital is designed to benefit both residents and Sabarimala pilgrims.

The facility is being constructed on land allotted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at Nilakkal, at an estimated cost of Rs 6.12 crore, she said in a statement.

"The Sabarimala base camp hospital at Nilakkal is being built as part of the government’s commitment to ensure the well-being of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine," George said.

The foundation stone for the hospital will be laid on Tuesday, the statement added.

The building, with a total area of 10,700 sq ft, will house facilities such as three outpatient (OP) rooms, an emergency department, a nurses’ station, an ECG room, an ICU and a pharmacy.

The first floor will include an X-ray room, multiple operation theatres and a scrub area, it said.

The inauguration ceremony will be held near the Nilakkal temple.

Besides Veena George, those expected to attend the event include Ranni MLA Pramod Narayan, MP Anto Antony, Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar, District Panchayat President George Abraham, and TDB President P S Prasanth.

Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and abroad are expected to visit Sabarimala during the two-month annual pilgrimage season, which begins on November 17. PTI LGK SSK