Sabarimala comes under thick security blanket

With less than a day to go for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, the temple and its surroundings have been placed under a thick blanket of security.

Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed at Sabarimala on Makaravilakku day. At present, 1,534 personnel are on duty at the Sannidhanam under the supervision of 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police while an additional 500 police personnel are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.

In line with a directive of the High Court, entry to the Sannidhanam on Makaravilakku day has been capped at 30,000 pilgrims through the virtual queue system and 5,000 through spot booking. From 10 a.m. onwards on January 14, pilgrims will not be permitted to proceed from Nilackal to Pampa, while movement from Pampa to the Sannidhanam will be stopped from 11 a.m.

Three routes earmarked

Pilgrims have been advised to view the Makara Jyothi only from designated viewpoints at Pandithavalam, Saramkuthi and the U-turn area and avoid gathering at unsafe hilltop locations. Safety instructions have been widely circulated through various WhatsApp groups.

Three routes have been earmarked for the return journey of devotees after the Makara Jyothi darshan. Authorities have put in place comprehensive arrangements to manage the heavy crowd at the Sopanam, Thirumuttam and surrounding areas when the Thiruvabharanam procession reaches the Sannidhanam on Makaravilakku day.

Control room set up

As part of efforts to secure the forest route used for transporting the Thiruvabharanam, a temporary pedestrian bridge has been constructed across the Pampa river. Barricades have also been installed at vulnerable locations to prevent accidents. The Forest department has deployed an additional 120 personnel in the Pampa, Pullumedu and Sannidhanam areas to ensure the safety of pilgrims. A special control room has been set up at the Pampa headquarters to handle emergencies.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel are on duty at the Sannidhanam, with 50 Civil Defence volunteers deployed for stretcher services and other emergency requirements. At Pampa, a specially trained 10-member scuba diving team has also been stationed.

Fire and Rescue Services teams, with a minimum strength of 10 personnel each, have been deployed at 13 identified viewpoints. A total of 31 departmental vehicles, including multi-utility vehicles, fire tenders, ambulances, rescue vehicles and first response vehicles, have been positioned at these locations.

Inspections are being carried out in and around Sannidhanam including the surrounding forest areas.