Kerala HC Passes Orders For Crowd Control, Regulates Entry Through Pamba

The Kerala High Court on Thursday has issues crucial directives for crowd management at Sabarimala Temple

The court issued several directives for managing crowds at the Sabarimala temple during an ongoing Mandala Makaravilakku festival.

The bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and G Girish, took suo motu cognizance based on reports from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner concerning crowd control at the temple and along the pilgrimage route.

One notable directive issued, instructs the Chief Police Coordinator to ensure that entry from Pamba is restricted to individuals with virtual queue bookings or spot reservations.

The interim order states, “The chief police coordinator shall take necessary steps to ensure that entry from Pamba is restricted to virtual queue and spot booking. Necessary advisory shall also be issued, which shall be given wide publicity through print and visual media.”

Additionally, the Court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to limit the number of spot bookings allowed on days when the maximum limit of virtual queue bookings is reached.

The court emphasized, “Having considered the submissions made at the bar regarding the issues in crowd management on the previous days, we deem it appropriate to direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to cap the spot booking to 10,000 per day on those days when virtual queue booking has reached the maximum cap of 80,000.”

During the hearing, Justice Anil K Narendran expressed concern that the situation at the temple during this festival season did not align with expectations for a sacred place like Sabarimala.

Justice Anil K Narendran shared a recent incident involving an elderly lady waiting outside the queue due to the crowd.

The Court underscored the importance of accommodating pilgrims comfortably, referencing an 80-year-old lady who, when asked if she was scared, expressed confidence that Lord Ayyappan would take care of her.

In the previous hearing on December 12, the bench directed the Chief Police Coordinator at Sannidhanam to regulate pilgrim movement through Pathinettampadi (18 holy steps) for safety and to facilitate maximum darshan for pilgrims.

Special queues for women, children, and persons with disabilities were also ordered.

Further directions were issued regarding cleanliness, deployment of additional staff and volunteers, provision of refreshments, and other related matters.

The Court was informed about the number of police personnel on duty in different shifts and the deployment of 6 mobile squads patrolling each sector at regular intervals.

The Court directed the State police chief to maintain constant vigilance over crowd management activities and increase the number of mobile squads from 6 to 12.

In case pilgrims are stranded in specific sectors for a prolonged period, the special officer in charge shall coordinate pilgrim support activities.

The Court also ordered that restrictions on pilgrim movement in certain areas should be communicated to stranded pilgrims through public announcements at regular intervals.