Makaravilakku: 900 buses deployed to Pamba, minister says 100 more ready if demand rises

Pamba: Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar has said that 900 buses have been readied to operate services to Pamba for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala temple, with an additional 100 buses to be deployed if required. He was speaking at a review meeting held in Pamba.

The review meeting, held at the Pamba Sreeramasaketham Hall, was attended by Transport Department Joint Commissioner Pramod Shankar, Sabarimala ADM Dr Arun S. Nair, and others.

The minister said that additional parking facilities would be arranged at Pampa Hilltop in line with the increase in bus services. He described this year’s Sabarimala season as one with relatively few complaints. “I spoke to the Ayyappas at Pampa and understood that they are satisfied with KSRTC’s services,” he said.

Ganesh Kumar added that he had personally witnessed the KSRTC services operating efficiently. “It is also reassuring that no road accidents related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage were reported this season. More measures will be put in place next season to further reduce road accidents,” the minister said.

The Makaravilakku festival will take place on January 14.

More than 36 lakh pilgrims visited Sabarimala during this Mandala season. The hill shrine was reopened to devotees on 30 December.