Sabarimala: A special team has been appointed to prevent pilgrims from dumping clothes into the Pampa river, Devaswom Executive Officer OG Biju told 'Mathrubhumi'. Last week, reports with images showing tonnes of garments collected from the river prompted the High Court Devaswom Bench to intervene, directing that devotees be made aware that the practice is unethical and must be stopped. Taking note of the incident, the High Court Devaswom Bench took a stand against it on Friday. The new action is based on this.

Biju said 80 employees had already been assigned to curb the dumping, but the measure proved insufficient. An additional 15 staff members will now be deployed, equipped with megaphones and stationed every 750 metres for closer supervision.

The Devaswom Board has awarded a Rs 2.8 lakh contract to Shukkur Pandian from Tamil Nadu for the removal of clothes from the river. Currently, around 100 workers are collecting garments daily, which are reportedly being sent to Tamil Nadu for use in industrial cleaning machines.