Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations underway for November 16 season
Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar reviewed infrastructure, medical, and sanitation arrangements at Pampa on Thursday.
The Chalakayam-Pampa road is expected to be finished by November 12, according to The Hindu, ahead of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season starting on November 16. Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar chaired a meeting at Pampa on Thursday to review the upcoming arrangements.
Integrated control rooms will operate 24 hours a day at Pampa, Nilackal, and Sannidhanam. Authorities will monitor crowds across 18 sectors at Sannidhanam and 15 sectors at Pampa and Nilackal. Additionally, 22 emergency medical centres along the forest and pilgrimage routes will be ready by November 10, featuring CPR facilities.
Medical support will include three ambulances at Sannidhanam and an off-road ambulance for the forest route. A 120-member volunteer group will assist with stretcher services. Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan has also directed departments to maintain food safety and medical services, noting that nearly 80 per cent of pilgrims pass through Chengannur.
Under the ‘Nirmalam Sabarimala’ initiative, a sanitation drive will take place on November 9 to make main roads waste-free by November 15. Approximately 1,000 sanitation workers will be stationed at Pampa, Nilackal, and Sannidhanam. The Clean Kerala Company has already cleared almost 50 tonnes of scrap and old waste.
Transport and utility updates include an AI-based parking system at Nilackal and a fast-charging station for electric vehicles at Pampa. The KSRTC will initially run 60 buses, increasing to 80 during peak times. The Devaswom Board has also increased production of appam and aravana to maintain supply.