Pathanamthitta: With the annual pilgrimage season drawing massive crowds, authorities at Sabarimala have intensified crowd-control measures starting today. Officials reported that while the rush remains high, darshan has been progressing smoothly since the temple opened this morning. Pilgrims are being allowed to proceed from Nilakkal to Pampa only after real-time assessment of the crowd at Sannidhanam.
To streamline the inflow, spot booking has now been restricted to 20,000 slots per day. Seven new spot-booking counters will begin functioning shortly at Nilakkal. Spot booking at Pampa has been suspended, making Nilakkal the sole booking point. Entry from Nilakkal to Pampa will henceforth be strictly regulated, and resting facilities are being arranged for devotees who need to stay back.
Queue complexes along the Marakkoottam and Saramkuthi routes will receive additional staff to ensure smooth movement. Devotees will be provided with drinking water, light refreshments, and chukku kaapi across all complexes. Pilgrims reaching Pampa will be assisted in completing darshan and returning within the allotted timeframe, while those arriving late or in excess numbers will be scheduled for darshan the following day.
Authorities have capped the daily pilgrim limit at 90,000—70,000 via virtual queue and 20,000 via spot booking. In a significant reinforcement for crowd management, the first NDRF team from Thrissur has reached Sannidhanam, with another team from Chennai expected by evening. More central forces will join shortly, said DGP R.A. Chandrasekhar. A robust deployment of 3,500 police personnel is already in place across Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilakkal to ensure safety and order.
