Lack of administrative control affects pilgrims

SABARIMALA: Lack of proper administrative control over the functioning of  hotels and other business establishments at Nilackal pilgrim transit camp is affecting thousands of pilgrims, who come here to board their vehicles parked there.Unauthorised hotels and vendors, functioning on vehicles, have set up a parallel network at Nilackal, which run their business without any control on prices or quality/quantity, are fleecing the pilgrims.A hotel, which is located on 18 cents of land close to the Nilackal Sree Mahadeva temple, is functioning without permission from the Travancore Devaswom Board. And half a dozen vendors on vehicles in the parking area are levying exorbitant rates from the pilgrims.Though the prices of each food item are displayed on the board in front of hotels and other shops, they charge 30 to 50 per cent higher than the rates, fixed by the district administration.Though an executive magistrate in the rank of Deputy Collector, with subordinate staff members to assist him, was posted at Nilackal to oversee the functioning of business establishments, the pilgrims are still at the mercy of unscrupulous elements. The worst part of the situation is that during the peak days of Mandalam- Makaravilakku, the pilgrims will have to bear the brunt of exploitation. A section of the Devaswom authorities is allegedly colluding with the unauthorised hoteliers and vendors for petty returns.Though the High Court had issued an order against the unauthorised business establishments at Nilackal, it is yet to be implemented.