ABASS to set up helpline centres at check-posts

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham (ABASS) has decided to set up helpline centres at the check-posts to offer assistance to those pilgrims who come from other states during the forthcoming  Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.Talking to Express, Sangham general secretary Velayudhan Nair said that ABASS assistance  centres at the check-posts in Amaravila,  Aryankavu and Kumily would start functioning from November 17.  Velayudhan Nair said the helpline at Walayar check-post would be decided after a meeting with the Finance Ministry authorities. “The helpline would offer assistance for early clearance to pilgrim vehicles at the check- posts,” Nair said. The other facilities available at the check- posts would be medicated drinking water and resting place.Annadanam Centres to Function from Nov 17 Velayudhan Nair said that the annadanam centres of ABASS would be ready for free food distribution from November 17. “The facility would be available at Sannidhanam, Pampa, Erumely and Pandalam on the first day of the Mandala pooja season,” he said. At Sannidhanam, the annadanam facility headed by Thiruchy Sridhar, would offer free food to the pilgrims three times a day, Nair said.During the peak Makaravilakku season from January 1, the pilgrims would be offered food round-the-clock.“Transportation of items for the preparation of free food, including rice, would be completed before November 15,” he said.“At Pampa, Pandalam and Erumely, free food would be offered to the pilgrims from November 17 to January 15,” he said.“The annadanam facility would start functioning at Valiyanavattom and  Karimala from December 1,” Nair said.  The ABASS would offer free food at Vaikom, Chottanikkara, Ettumanoor,  Kulathuppuzha and Aryankavu from the middle of December to January 15, he said.