Aravana shortage: Board asks contractor to make 12 stoves operational before Thulam

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Travancore Devaswom Board has issued strict directions to address the shortage of Aravana at Sabarimala, asking the contractor to make at least 12 stoves at the under-construction Aravana plant operational before the Thulam month poojas. Aravana production was stopped after the Chingam month poojas to facilitate capacity expansion at the plant, leading to the current shortage. All the steam-operated stoves at the plant were dismantled and work on the flooring began. The floor work was originally scheduled to be completed by the first week of October, but it is yet to be completed even after a month. The shortage emerged after the number of pilgrims arriving during Kanni month exceeded the board's estimates.

Work has now begun on constructing an airtight roof using GI sheets at the plant. Only 22 days remain before the temple opens for the Thulam month poojas, but the contractor is not certain whether the work can be completed within this period and the plant's capacity increased in time. The board estimates that the Aravana shortage can be overcome by the time the temple opens if at least 12 stoves are made operational. The plan is to complete the work within the next two weeks and resume Aravana production on October 7.

After the Thulam poojas, the plan is to further increase the plant's production capacity to 3.5 lakh tins of Aravana a day and build a reserve stock of 70 lakh containers.