Kerala High Court Issues Directives for Crowd Management During Sabarimala Makaravilakku Festival
High
Court Directives on Sabarimala Crowd Management for Makaravilakku Festival
The Kerala
High Court has issued directives to ensure effective crowd management during
the upcoming Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala. Key points are as follows:
- Report Submission:
- The Chief Police Coordinator of
Sabarimala has been instructed to file a detailed report by Wednesday on
additional crowd management measures.
- Review of Existing Measures:
- The directive was issued after
the High Court reviewed a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner
regarding crowd management strategies.
- Limitations on Virtual-Q and
Real-Time Bookings:
- The Travancore Devaswom Board
(TDB) has decided to limit Virtual-Q and real-time bookings as follows:
- January 12: Virtual-Q bookings capped at
60,000 and real-time bookings at 5,000.
- January 13: Virtual-Q bookings capped at
50,000 and real-time bookings at 5,000.
- January 14 (Makaravilakku Day): Virtual-Q bookings capped at
40,000 and real-time bookings at 1,000.
- Public Awareness:
- The High Court directed the TDB
to widely publicize these booking restrictions across Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana using print and visual media to
inform pilgrims.
- 'Hold and Release' Mechanism:
- If the number of pilgrims
exceeds the holding capacity at Pamba and Sannidhanam:
- The Chief Police Coordinator
must impose restrictions on the movement of pilgrims and vehicles using
a "hold and release" mechanism.
- This decision should be taken
in consultation with:
- Sabarimala Executive Officer.
- District Collector of
Pathanamthitta.
- Police Chief of
Pathanamthitta.
- Special Commissioner of
Sabarimala.
- Communication to Pilgrims:
- Restrictions and updates will
be communicated to pilgrims through:
- Public address systems at
Nilakkal, Pamba, and Sannidhanam.
- Along the trekking path from
Pamba to Sannidhanam.
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