Kerala High Court Directs Devaswom Board To Expedite Construction Of Biogas Plant & Gas Cylinder Storage Plant In Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (January 28) directed the Travancore Devaswom Board and the State government to take steps to expedite the construction of a biogas plant and a storage plant for gas cylinders in Sabarimala.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order while considering a suo motu petition based on the Special Commissioner's report.In its order dated 8th October, the Bench had observed that construction of a biogas plant was a matter of extreme necessity after being told that the construction was undertaken in 2019 by the Socio Economic Unit Foundation (SEUF). The Standing Counsel for the High Power Committee, Sabarimala Master Plan also made a submission that while a substantial part of the work had already been completed, the rest of the work can be completed only after the government sanctions funds for the same, which would amount roughly to Rs. 72 lahs. On hearing the same, the Court had directed the State and the Board to state whether the delay in construction was due to paucity of funds. It had, on subsequent occasions, passed orders directing the Board to take steps to enable the setting up of the plants.When the matter came up for consideration yesterday, the Court recorded that no submission was made regarding lack of funds and, directed the Devaswom Board and the State to mention the time frame within which funds can be made available and the construction can be completed.With respect to the storage plant, it was told that NOC from Fire Department has not been produced to the Ranni-Perunad Grama Panchayat for processing the application and granting permits. The Court then directed the Devaswom Board to expedite the process and submit a complete application along with all documents required for completing the process and construction.The case is next posted on February 13 and the Government Pleader and Standing Counsel for Devaswom Board is to place on record instructions regarding construction of the biogas plant.Case No: SSCR No. 21 of 2025Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.Click to Read/Download OrderClick to Read/Download Interim Order date 08.10.2025

Kerala High Court Directs Devaswom Board To Expedite Construction Of Biogas Plant & Gas Cylinder Storage Plant In Sabarimala

K. Salma Jennath

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