Kerala announces security measures ahead of Sabarimala pilgrimage season

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said elaborate security arrangements would be put in place to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims during the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

The Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, which lasts for more than two months, is scheduled to begin on November 17.

The preparations were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chennithala at the Secretariat. The minister said awareness would be created among pilgrims to encourage maximum use of the virtual queue system to help regulate crowds, according to a statement.

The meeting asked the State Police Chief to directly inform his counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka about the arrangements.

Information for pilgrims will be shared through press releases in regional languages, social media campaigns, signboards at key locations and public announcement systems.

Chennithala also directed police personnel on duty to adopt a friendly and empathetic approach towards pilgrims.

The statement said the services of the Rapid Action Force and Fire and Rescue Force would be deployed effectively to deal with emergencies. Mock drills will also be held to ensure that fire hydrants along major routes, including the Marakkoottam stretch, remain functional.

The meeting decided that security arrangements and police services at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal would be coordinated effectively. Parking facilities at Nilakkal and Chakupalam will be streamlined to improve travel arrangements for pilgrims.

In coordination with the Motor Vehicles Department, the fitness of vehicles carrying pilgrims and compliance with speed restrictions will be checked strictly, the statement said. CCTV surveillance at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal will be strengthened and linked to the police control room.

Mandatory police verification will be carried out for those working in commercial establishments at Sannidhanam and Pampa, and they will have to carry identity cards. The meeting also decided to prevent devotees from leaving clothes in the Pampa river.

Chennithala directed that quality food, hygienic accommodation and drinking water be ensured for police personnel on duty, and said repairs to police camps and toilets should be completed before November 1. Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator P Vijayan and other senior officials attended the meeting. i