Thiruvananthapuram: Lord Ayyappa requires no special publicity, and there are no plans to organise further meets or sangamams (mass gatherings), K. Jayakumar, the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board, has stated.

Speaking at a press conference following a special board meeting convened to discuss measures for improving operational efficiency at the hill shrine, Jayakumar addressed recent controversies surrounding the temple's administration.

The President admitted that recent news reports concerning Sabarimala had caused considerable distress. Reassuring the public, he asserted that the board will work in tandem with the state's vigilance department to ensure strict oversight and prevent any misconduct. He emphasised his desire that Sabarimala should not feature in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Drive for cleanliness and transparency

Going forward, the board’s developmental blueprint will focus heavily on three core pillars: cleanliness, transparency, and operational efficiency.

In a major policy shift aimed at eliminating financial irregularities, all monetary transactions at the shrine will transition to digital formats. Digital payment systems will be made mandatory for all financial dealings, including the booking of vazhipadu (ritual offerings).

Furthermore, accommodation booking is set for a major overhaul. Out of the 608 rooms allocated for pilgrims, 550 will now be available exclusively through online booking. The traditional security deposit system for these rooms has been scrapped; instead, a nominal service charge ₹50 will be levied.

To elevate hygiene standards, room maintenance and housekeeping duties will be outsourced to an external professional agency. The board also approved the construction of a new guest house adjacent to the existing Sabari Guest House. Meanwhile, the current arrangement of charging a nominal fee of ₹5 alongside virtual queue tickets will continue.

High-tech crowd management

To bolster security and streamline crowd control during peak pilgrimage seasons, a state-of-the-art central control room will be established at Pampa. This hub will allow officials to monitor digital security systems across both the Sannidhanam (sanctum sanctorum) and Pampa in real-time.

The security infrastructure upgrade includes the installation of 450 surveillance cameras. Additionally, the board has commissioned a study to evaluate the feasibility of deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras to manage the massive influx of devotees more effectively.

In a bid to ensure absolute transparency in public works and infrastructure projects, an independent external technical audit team will be appointed Jayakumar also announced plans to construct a new theerthakkulam (holy water tank) at the Sannidhanam.