No-03/EOI/HPC/SMP/2013-14

05-03-2013

Date :

INVITATION FOR SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF

INTEREST (EOI)
Appam and Aravana Production Plants
Expression of Interest is invited for design, supply, erection and
operation of Appam and Aravana (Sabarimala Prasadam)
equipments in Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
Sabarimala is a unique mountain temple which is open for
worship only during a few days (less than 130) in an year. Millions
of devotees visit the temple from all over India. The High Power
Committee (HPC) for Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan
proposes to build a new Prasadam Complex for production of
traditional items like Appam and Aravana which are packed
and distributed/sold to devotees as Swami Ayyappans Prasadam.
1. The HPC proposes to appoint an agency from among
experienced and competent firms/companies to carry out the
following work on turnkey basis :
a) Design a suitable manufacturing (processing) facility
complying with HACCP/food safety guidelines
b) Provide innovative mechanized process for manufacture
and dispensing the above items of food articles
c) Select appropriate machinery and structures for the
proposed manufacturing plant
d) Design and erect appropriate packing plants preferably
with non-plastic pouches/containers
e) Integrate HACCP and QC considerations into the facility
f) Erect the plants and to put into operation to the
satisfaction of HPC
g) Prepare an Operation and Maintenance manual for the
facility
h) Operate the plant for a specified number of years and
i) Train designated persons in O&M
2. Design a process plant which shall include automatic process
equipments for preparation of Aravana and Appam on
production scale as given below. Operation of the plant and
machinery shall be through programmable logical controllers
(PLC)
3. Capacity of the plant and machinery should meet the production
of 4 lakhs metal cans of Aravana per day (250 gm/can) and 2
lakhs packets of Appam (containing 7 pieces in a pouch) per day.
4. A water treatment plant shall be installed to feed water to the
processing plant
5. A diesel tank/bullet to be provided for thermic fluid/steam boiler
6. Effluent treatment plant at a location identified by HPC shall be
installed and the plant shall confirm to norms of the state
pollution board
7. Facilities of installing can/pouch dispensing machine for

Aravana/Appam at different locations as decided by HPC to

facilitate pilgrims for the automatic dispensation of prasadam
The agency shall study the existing plants at Sabarimala, identify
their strengths and weaknesses and incorporate innovation in
the whole process to improve the quality of the product and to
minimize human involvement in hostile working environment. It is
proposed that a new Prasadam Complex (HACCP compliant/
building) would be built to suit the design of the plant and
machinery. The agency or consortium submitting EOI must have
standing of at least ten years in design, manufacturing, supply,
erection and operation of speciality food processing plants.
Present Process of production of Appam
Production of Appam involves mixing rice flour with jaggery
solution (paani) and spices (dry ginger powder, cumin seed
powder and mashed plantain fruit). Machinery used is material
conveyors, mixer and frying pan heated with steam. Frying
medium is ghee and temperature shall be 130 to 150 0celsius. At
present dispensing of the mix and collection of finished Appams
and packing are done manually. It is packed in paper pouches
containing seven pieces per pack. About 20 lakh (2million)
packets are distributed during peak season. Production of huge
quantity of Appam needs to be streamlined to achieve quality of
product and timely delivery.
Present Process of production of Aravana
Aravana is a Nivedya Prasadam packed in 250 ml packs. About
four million such aravana packs are distributed in the peak
pilgrim season of two months. It has become necessary to
establish a reliable and safe manufacturing and packing facility
that can produce the required quantity. Since aravana processing
is unique, it would be necessary to customize the manufacturing
facility.
Aravana is essentially boiled rice mixed with jaggery (filtered
melted jiggery solution) and ghee. Powdered cardamom is added
to the high temperature well cooked boiling mixture. Production
of aravana in huge quantities requires materials handling and
conveying equipment, blenders, mixers and forming equipment,
processing, filling and packaging lines and quality control,
inspection and testing services. Since the process involves
production of high temperature viscous mixture, innovation in the
process machinery is required.
EOI can be submitted either for one plant or for both the plants
together. EOI documents (in sealed envelopes (super scribed EOI
for Appam /Aravana Plant) giving organisational capacity,
financial strength, previous experience in production of similar
food processing (with proof) brief statements on the innovative
approaches and readiness to deliver the requirements may be
submitted in triplicate to the undersigned on or before 16 th April
2013.
Sd/- Officer-in-Charge, For Member Secretary ,
On behalf of the H .P.C. for Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan
Phone: 0471-2314288, Fax: 0471-2315156
e-mail: sabarimalamasterplan@gmail.com