Thiruvananthapuram: The Sabarimala temple has seen a significant increase in pilgrim footfall this season, leading to concerns about overcrowding and the need for better management. In response, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has directed authorities to make more coordinated arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience for everyone.

The Chief Minister reviewed the current situation at Sabarimala during a special meeting held at Thekkady. He noted that the average number of pilgrims has increased from 62,000 in the first 19 days to 88,000 in the past four days. This surge has led to long queues and congestion at the temple complex.

To address the increased demand, the Chief Minister has ordered the following measures:

• Increased darshan time: The darshan time has been extended by one hour to accommodate more pilgrims.
• Limited spot booking: Spot booking for darshan will now be limited to only essential cases. This will help to reduce congestion and ensure that pre-booked pilgrims are not disadvantaged.
• Improved parking facilities: The Devaswom Board will be responsible for improving parking arrangements to accommodate the larger number of vehicles.
• Stricter traffic control: Stricter enforcement of traffic rules will be implemented to ensure smooth flow of vehicles around the temple.
• Staged duty change for police: Police personnel will be rotated in stages to ensure continuity of service and prevent disruptions.
• Deployment of additional volunteers: Volunteers from various agencies will be recruited to assist with crowd management and other tasks.
• Improved communication: The Devaswom Board will actively communicate with pilgrims about the latest arrangements and facilities available. This will help to address any concerns and prevent the spread of misinformation.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the need to pay special attention to the needs of women and children visiting the temple. He called for dedicated facilities and arrangements to ensure their safety and comfort.

In addition to these measures, the Chief Minister expressed his condolences on the recent death of a child who had come for the pilgrimage. He assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all devotees visiting Sabarimala.

The increased rush at Sabarimala highlights the need for continuous improvement in the management of the pilgrimage. The Chief Minister’s directives are a positive step towards ensuring a smooth and safe experience for all devotees. It is important for the authorities to implement these measures effectively and to remain vigilant in addressing any challenges that may arise.

Pamba, Kerala: The Sabarimala pilgrimage season has been marred by an unprecedented rush of devotees, leading to chaos and frustration among pilgrims. Reports indicate that many pilgrims, including those from other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, were unable to reach the Sannidhanam (sanctum sanctorum) and had to return from Pandalam after breaking coconuts and offering prayers at the local temple.

The massive influx of pilgrims has overwhelmed the infrastructure and resources at Sabarimala. Long queues for darshan, inadequate transportation facilities, and a lack of proper crowd management have resulted in widespread discontent. Pilgrims have complained about waiting for hours on end, only to be turned back due to limited darshan slots.

The situation is further complicated by the lack of additional KSRTC buses and ineffective police deployment. Many pilgrims stranded for hours have expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities’ handling of the situation.

To protest the inconveniences faced by devotees, activists and members of the Youth Congress held demonstrations at Nilakkal and the Devaswom Board headquarters. The protests highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, better crowd management, and efficient transportation facilities to handle the large number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala.

Meanwhile, the UDF MPs raised the issue in Parliament, drawing attention to the chaos and mismanagement at the pilgrimage site. They demanded immediate intervention from the government to address the concerns of the devotees and ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience for everyone.

With the heavy rush expected to continue in the coming days, the Travancore Devaswom Board and local authorities face a significant challenge in managing the situation effectively. Implementing efficient crowd control measures, increasing transportation facilities, and addressing the concerns of the pilgrims are crucial to ensuring a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience for everyone.

Key points:

• Uncontrolled pilgrim rush leading to chaos and frustration.
• Pilgrims unable to reach sanctum sanctorum, forced to return from Pandalam.
• Long queues, inadequate transport, and ineffective crowd management.
• Protests by devotees and demand for improved infrastructure and management.
• UDF MPs raise issue in Parliament, demanding government intervention.
• Need for urgent action to improve pilgrimage experience.

Kottayam: Benoy Vishwam has been given the charge of CPI state secretary. The decision was taken unanimously by the CPI state executive in a meeting chaired by D Raja.

Binoy Vishwam was given the charge after the death of Kanam Rajendran, the secretary. Benoy is also the one who suggested Kanam to hand over temporary duties while he is on leave as part of his treatment. Binoy Vishwam is the second member from Kerala in the Central Secretariat. He responded that the party will carry out the responsibility assigned to it and the rest of the decision will be taken by the state council.

Thiruvananthapuram: Free bus for delegates to go to various theaters as part of International Film Festival held in Thiruvananthapuram.  The bus facility was arranged by Chalachithra Academy.  The service is operated by two electric buses of KSRTC.  The service will be available from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm.  This service is also available for evening Nishagandhi.

 Actor Jobi flagged off the bus service in front of the Tagore Theatre.  Academy Secretary C Ajoy, General Council Member Pradeep Chokli and others were present.  In previous years, it was free auto service.