Master Plan for Sabarimala Infrastructure Module: Traffic &Transportation MASTER PLAN FOR SABARIMALA INFRASTRUCTURE MODULE Traffic and Transportation 1. BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction and Relevance...............................................................................................1 1.2 Aims and Objectives...........................................................................................................1 1.3 Methodology........................................................................................................................2 1.4 Scope of the Study...............................................................................................................2 1.5 Structure of the Report ......................................................................................................3 2. BASELINE TRANSPORTATION SCENARIO.......................................................................4 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................4 2.2 Accessibility to the Holy Destination.................................................................................4 2.2.1 Railways.......................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2.2 Airways ........................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.3 Roadways........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.2.3.1 Road Transport services................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Movement Pattern ..............................................................................................................5 3. REGIONAL TRAFFIC ANALYSIS ..........................................................................................9 3.1 Introduction to Studies and Analysis................................................................................9 3.2 Traffic Volume and Classification Analysis for Regional Roads ...................................9 3.3 Parking Studies at the Base Camps.................................................................................23 3.3.1 Nilakkal Plantation Area .............................................................................................................. 23 3.3.2 Erumely Town............................................................................................................................... 23 3.3.3 Vandiperiyar................................................................................................................................. 29 3.3.4 Uppupara Transit Area................................................................................................................. 29 4. TRAFFIC STUDIES AND ANALYSIS AT SABARIMALA ................................................34 4.1 Traffic Volume and Classification at Chalakkayam Toll Station ................................34 4.2 Volume and Capacity of Pampa – Sannidhanam route ................................................38 4.2.1 Pilgrim Movement from Pampa to Sannidhanam......................................................................... 38 4.2.2 Goods Transport........................................................................................................................... 38 4.3 Trekking Volume and Capacity of Uppupara – Sannidhanam route..........................39 4.4 Trekking Volume and Capacity of Erumely – Pampa route ........................................40 4.5 Parking Studies .................................................................................................................40 4.5.1 Pampa........................................................................................................................................... 40 4.5.2 Roadside Parking between Nilakkal and Pampa.......................................................................... 41 5. REVIEW OF EXISTING MAJOR PROPOSALS..................................................................49 5.1 Development of Railway Network...................................................................................49 5.2 Widening of Mannarakulanji Pampa Road and Karingallumuzhi Elavumkal Road 51 5.3 Ropeway from Pampa to Sannidhanam .........................................................................52 IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd Master Plan for Sabarimala Infrastructure Module: Traffic &Transportation 5.4 Attathodu Road.................................................................................................................53 5.5 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................55 6. PRIORITISATION OF REQUIREMENTS AND PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS.........56 6.1 Development Vision..........................................................................................................56 6.2 Issue Prioritisation............................................................................................................56 6.3 Suggested Interventions for Regional Transportation ..................................................57 6.3.1 Improvements to Existing Road Network...................................................................................... 57 6.3.2 Formation of New Road Links in the Region................................................................................ 69 6.3.3 Development of Major Bus Stations ............................................................................................. 70 6.3.4 Development of Base and Transit Stations ................................................................................... 74 6.3.5 Traffic Management...................................................................................................................... 81 6.4 Suggested Interventions for improved transportation and support facilities in Sabarimala Micro Region ..............................................................................................................83 6.4.1 Plappally - Chalakkayam - Pampa Section of Pathanamthitta – Pampa Road............................ 83 6.4.2 Circulation at Pampa.................................................................................................................... 84 6.4.3 Improvements to Trekking Routes.................................................................................................86 6.4.4 Facilities for Jyothi Viewing......................................................................................................... 93 6.4.5 Circulation at Sannidhanam......................................................................................................... 94 6.4.6 Crowd Management...................................................................................................................... 95 6.4.6.1 Darshan Capacity........................................................................................................... 96 6.4.6.2 Observed Pilgrim Flow Patterns.................................................................................... 97 6.4.6.3 Measures for Supporting the Pilgrims by Streamlining their Flow Pattern from Base Camps to Sannidhanam and Back .................................................................................................... 98 6.5 Compiled list of Interventions, Land Requirement and their Phasing......................100 List of Maps / Plates Map 1: Regional Transport Network & Primary Road Network in Sabarimala Influence Area Map 2: Traffic Study Locations Map 3: Desire line Diagram Map 4: Routes from Pampa to Sannidhanam Map 5: Proposed Broad Gauge Railway Line between Angamali and Erumeli Map 6: Key Map of Vandiperiyar - Mount Estate - Sathram Road Alignment Map 7: Road Improvement Proposals: 2006- 2015 Map 8: Road Improvement Proposals: 2015-2030 Map 9: Existing and Proposed Road Network around Erumeli Town Map 10: Location Map of Erumeli Chalakkayam Road Map 11: Layout Plan of KSRTC Bus Station Kottayam Map 12: Area Proposed For Development of Additional Facilities at Ernakulam Bus Station Map 13: Land Proposed For Expansion of K.S.R.T.C. Bus Station at Erumeli Map 14: Map of Nilakkal indicating location suggested for KSRTC bus parking area IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd Master Plan for Sabarimala Infrastructure Module: Traffic &Transportation List of Tables Table 1: Kottayam – Kumily Road ...................................................................................................................... 11 Table 2: Pathanamthitta – Pampa Road .............................................................................................................. 13 Table 3: Ponkunnam – Pondanpuzha – Athikkayam Road................................................................................... 14 Table 4: Kanjirappally – Erumely Road............................................................................................................... 14 Table 5: Kanakappalam – Mukkuttuthara – Thulappally – Plappally Road........................................................ 16 Table 6: Kanakappalam – Vechuchira – Athikkayam Road................................................................................