Sabarimala pilgrimage: Kerala steps up security arrangements

Kerala will strengthen security and crowd-management measures for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season beginning November 17. Authorities will focus on virtual queues, CCTV surveillance, emergency response, vehicle checks, parking management and police verification of workers at key locations

Thiruvananthapuram: 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 over two-month-long Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at the hill shrine is scheduled to begin on November 17.

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Preparations were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chennithala at the Secretariat.

The minister said awareness campaigns would be conducted among pilgrims to encourage them to make maximum use of the virtual queue system to regulate crowds.

According to a statement, the meeting entrusted the State Police Chief with directly informing his counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka about the arrangements.

Press releases in regional languages, social media campaigns, signboards at key locations and public announcement systems would be used to disseminate information among pilgrims.

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

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

Security arrangements and police services at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal would be coordinated effectively, the meeting decided.

Parking facilities at Nilakkal and Chakupalam would 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 would be strictly checked, according to the statement.

CCTV surveillance at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal would be strengthened and linked to the police control room.

Mandatory police verification would be conducted for those working in commercial establishments at Sannidhanam and Pampa, and they would be required to carry identity cards.

The meeting also decided to prevent devotees from leaving clothes in the Pampa river.

The Home Minister directed that quality food, hygienic accommodation and drinking water be ensured for police personnel on duty. Repairs to police camps and toilets should be completed before November 1, he said.

Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator P Vijayan and other senior officials attended the meeting.