Minister V. N. Vasavan has directed all departments to speed up preparations for this year’s annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala. The Minister gave this instruction while chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat Durbar Hall to assess the progress of arrangements.
Preparations began early this year due to the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam and the planned visit by the President of India to Sabarimala.
Key Preparations and Decisions:
Increased Buffer Stock for Offerings: To ensure uninterrupted availability of Appam and Aravana (prasadam) for the expected surge in pilgrims, a buffer stock of 50 lakh to 65 lakh packs will be prepared by the start of the Vrischikam month. Currently, 15 lakh packs are already in stock.
Virtual Queue & App:
The Virtual Queue booking system will continue, with registration facilities available at entry points using ID cards like Aadhaar.
The Devaswom Board will launch a mobile application for pilgrims containing essential information about the pilgrimage.
Pilgrim Insurance: The insurance coverage for pilgrims, which began last year, will be extended across the entire state of Kerala this season.
Safety and Information:
District administrations (Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam) are finalizing arrangements to ensure pilgrim convenience.
Multi-lingual signage will be installed to ensure safe pilgrimage.
Forest and Wildlife Safety:
Hazardous trees along the trekking path will be cut down.
Special control rooms will be set up by the Forest Department at Pampa and Sannidhanam.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras will be installed to detect wildlife presence.
The Wild Watch SMS system will be continued.
Water and Sanitation:
The Water Authority will set up special kiosks and new taps for clean drinking water.
A temporary lab with dedicated staff will be established to monitor water quality.
The Water Resources Department will ensure safety measures for water levels at Pampa bathing ghats.
Warning boards will be placed at all bathing spots.
Temporary toilets and resting sheds will be set up along the forest paths and key centers.
A special Hazard Measurement Study will be conducted to place warnings in risk-prone areas due to potential heavy rains.
Health and Medical Facilities:
24-hour health services will operate at Sannidhanam, Pampa, Nilakkal, and other main spots.
Fifteen Emergency Medical Centres will be opened, and medical teams are being finalized.
Cardiology treatment facilities will be available at Pampa, Sannidhanam, and various hospitals including Kottayam Medical College and Pathanamthitta General Hospital.
Law Enforcement and Transport:
The Public Works Department is working to ensure all roads to Pampa are motorable.
Fire and Rescue Services, along with Scuba Divers, will be on 24-hour duty.
Joint checks by Police, Excise, and Forest departments will be strictly enforced to prevent narcotic use in forest areas.
KSRTC will operate special bus services from major depots across the state.
Waste Management:
Special public restrooms will be set up in Pathanamthitta and nearby districts in collaboration with the local bodies.
Facilities for collecting non-biodegradable waste, along with special waste collection bins, will be arranged.
A system for hourly waste removal will be implemented at Pampa and Sabarimala.
Media and Publicity:
The Information and Public Relations Department will operate a special Media Centre at Sannidhanam.
Information and awareness materials, including short videos, will be prepared in Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
The Minister stressed the need for coordinated action among all departments and directed senior officials to take the lead, with the Devaswom Board coordinating the overall activities.
With input from Keralanews.gov
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
