IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON THURSDAY, THE 29TH OCTOBER 2009 / 7TH KARTHIKA 1931 DBA.No. 131 of 2009() --------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION - IN THE MATTER OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BARRICADE FROM MARAKOOTTAM TO SABARI PEETOM FOR IMPROVING THE SECURITY AND CROWD MANAGEMENT.) PETITIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, NANTHANCODE,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. BY ADV. SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON SC FOR TDB RESPONDENT: ------------ THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR LOCAL FUND ACCOUNTS,TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, NANTHANCODE,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. R. LAKSHMI NARAYAN. SRI. KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29/10/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = == == = = = D.B.A. NO. 131 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009. O R D E R Raman, J. This is an application seeking approval of Annexure-A estimate less Item No. 6 and permit the petitioner - Travancore Devaswom Board to take up the work of providing additional barricades from Marakkoottam to Sabari Peetom for improving the security and crowd management. 2. The matter was referred to Ombudsman. The Ombudsman reports that the additional barricades are proposed on the basis of the instruction given by the higher officials of Police. According to them, the pilgrims moving towards the temple from the Swamy Ayyappan Road and traditional route are expected to proceed along the fly over to Saramkuthi and not through the Chandranandan Road. This is at present done by using ropes and it is recommended to be changed by barricades which will ensure the prevention of pilgrims getting into the queue through forest ways and will be helpful for further security of the pilgrims. The Devaswom Board has given sanction for all the items except Item No.6 in the estimate. The Chief Engineer, in his letter to DBA 131/2009 2 the Board, copy of which was placed before the Ombudsman , has pointed out that the recurring expense of about two lakhs every year for arranging temporary barricade by ropes and pillars can be avoided by permanent barricade. The Ombudsman recommended that taking into consideration of the fact that every year an amount of Rs. two lakhs is spent as a legend expense, a permanent arrangement will be more beneficial. In the circumstances, approval sought for is granted, subject to audit by the Local Fund Audit. P.R. RAMAN, (JUDGE) P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, (JUDGE) KNC/-