With the crowd situation at Sabarimala now stabilised, a review meeting chaired by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan on Saturday decided to increase the spot-booking limit based on daily footfall.

The meeting, attended by Devaswom Secretary MG Rajamanickam and senior officials, also cleared several measures to streamline pilgrim movement and improve infrastructure.

At present, around 70 pilgrims climb the 18 holy steps each minute; this will now be increased to 85. Additional experienced police personnel will be posted at the steps to speed up the flow of devotees.

A joint daily review meeting—led by the Sabarimala Additional District Magistrate and involving representatives of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), Police, Health, Fire and Rescue Services, Forest, Water Authority, and PWD—will be held at the Sannidhanam.

Similar routine reviews will also be conducted at Pampa and Nilackal. Issues raised at these sessions must be resolved without delay. The TDB will soon take a final call on revised darshan timings after consultations.

Key Facility Upgrades Ordered

  • The Health Department will set up an echo facility at the Sannidhanam health centre.
  • Coordination between police units deployed at Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilackal will be strengthened, and the integrated control room at Pampa upgraded.
  • Full utilisation of Nilackal parking will be ensured immediately.
  • Large LED display boards will be installed at Pampa and Nilackal to provide real-time updates to pilgrims.
  • More staff will be deployed for round-the-clock toilet cleaning, with supervisors appointed for monitoring.
  • The number of bio-toilets and drinking-water supply points will be increased.
  • Issues related to dolly services will be addressed; lighting and drinking-water access along the forest route will be improved.
  • Arrangements at Erumely will be reviewed at a special meeting on November 27.
  • Quality of food provided to officials on duty will be enhanced.
  • The TDB has been asked to release the usual ₹20 lakh advance to the police.
  • Mandatory health check-ups and immediate health-card issuance have been ordered for hotel workers at Sannidhanam, along with Fire and Rescue inspections for safety compliance.
  • Coordination between KSRTC and the police will be strengthened.

RAF Deployed at Sannidhanam

A 140-member Rapid Action Force team took charge on Saturday. Led by a Deputy Commander, the unit has been stationed at Sannidhanam and Marakkoottam. It will operate in three shifts of 32 personnel, supported by a 10-member quick response team on 24-hour standby.

Pilgrim Rush Crosses 5 Lakh

An estimated 4,94,151 pilgrims had reached Sabarimala by 7 pm on November 21, including 72,037 devotees who had darshan on that day alone.

With the surge in arrivals, KSRTC’s daily income from the Nilackal–Pampa chain services has risen to ₹60 lakh.