Kerala High Court directs TDB to fix Sabarimala fire safety deficiencies
The court ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board to install safety systems that comply with the National Building Code at Sabarimala Sannidhanam.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to rectify flaws in the fire protection systems at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, according to The Hindu.
A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar stated that maintaining functional fire safety systems is a matter of human life safety rather than a routine task. The court ordered the installation of equipment meeting National Building Code standards, including automatic sprinklers, smoke management, alarm systems, and a working hydrant network with sufficient water pressure.
The Fire and Rescue Services department previously reported that buildings at Sannidhanam did not meet mandated safety standards and noted that many fire extinguishers were not working. The department informed the court that 1,800 personnel would be deployed in six phases, alongside 32 fire and rescue vehicles and 18 scuba divers per phase.
During the Makaravilakku festival, approximately 150 Fire and Rescue Services personnel and 30 rescue vehicles will be stationed at 11 points. The court also directed the Local Self-Governments department to send four extra squads to monitor preparation work in Erumely.
Regarding food safety, the Food Safety department said raw materials for Aravana and Appam must pass quality checks at the Pampa laboratory. The TDB and the Food Safety department told the court that laboratory facilities at Pampa will be strengthened, noting that violations will be handled under the Food Safety Act.