Kochi, The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to carry out an urgent assessment of the structural condition and safety of the booster stations providing water to the Sabarimala temple, saying that it was important to keep them functional to ensure uninterrupted and adequate water supply to the shrine during the upcoming pilgrimage season.
A bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar said that based on the inspection, the necessary basic repairs, strengthening measures and other essential works shall be identified and carried out expeditiously.
“Let the matter be posted on October 7, 2026. In the meantime, the special government pleader shall obtain detailed instructions from the Kerala Water Authority as well as the PWD Buildings Wing regarding the measures that can be adopted to ensure that the booster stations remain functional and safe throughout the 2026-27 pilgrimage season. The court issued the directions after the Kerala Water Authority said that ₹ 3.86 crore is required to carry out the necessary repairs at the booster stations and the work can be carried out only after the state government allocated the requisite funds.
“The instructions shall also indicate the immediate works that can be undertaken pending the comprehensive reconstruction proposed after the Makaravilakku Pooja, 2027,” the court said. “The officer shall also state, on a prima facie assessment, whether the existing structures necessarily require complete reconstruction or whether, by providing suitable reinforcements and carrying out essential repairs, the structures can be made structurally safe and fit, at least for the limited purpose of operating the booster stations during the 2026-27 pilgrimage season,” the bench said. “However, an equally important aspect that requires immediate consideration is the continued operation of the booster stations during the 2026-2027 pilgrimage season,” the bench said.
