Sabarimala pilgrimage: Tamil Nadu-Keralam meet finalises route plan, safety measures

An interstate coordination meeting between District Collectors of Keralam and Tamil Nadu, held at Thekkady in Idukki on Friday (October 23), decided that the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) online booking counter for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season will operate at Walardie near Vandiperiyar. Officials noted that in previous years, the counter functioned at Sathram.

Under the new arrangements, pilgrims will be permitted along the forest route through Sathram only after undergoing health screenings at Walardie. Those with cardiac issues or other serious medical conditions will be advised to take the conventional route through Pampa instead of the Sathram forest path.

Forest department and local bodies have been directed to coordinate the installation of public toilets at Walardie, Sathram, Pullumedu, Mukkuzhi, and Boys Ground.

Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt said that standard prices have been fixed for food stalls, eateries, and wayside shops along the pilgrimage route, warning of strict penal action against vendors overcharging devotees.

Drone surveillance

Mr. Cheruvatt added that the Forest department will establish three additional eco-shops between Sathram and Pullumedu —specifically at Zero Point, Pullumedu, and Kazhuthakkuzhi — offering safe drinking water, rice porridge (kanji), and light refreshments. A new watchtower will be erected between Pullumedu and Sannidhanam. In addition to a six-member Rapid Response Team (RRT), two eco-guards will be deployed every 500 m along this corridor, supported by daytime drone surveillance.

Furthermore, six Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) squads will carry out round-the-clock patrolling. Breakdown assistance, including on-call mechanics and mobile workshops, has been arranged along key routes. The Collector directed transport officials to finalise fares in consultation with local MUV operators and ensure multilingual rate cards are visibly displayed.

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) will supply drinking water across 15 distribution points between Uppupara and Kozhikkanam, while Tahsildar-led control rooms will function at Manjumala, Kumily, Periyar, and the Peerumade Taluk Office.

Awareness drive in T.N.

Theni District Collector V. Sivakrishnamurthy affirmed that the Tamil Nadu administration will work closely with Idukki authorities to provide transit and medical support. Mr. Sivakrishnamurthy said an extensive awareness campaign will be conducted across Tamil Nadu, featuring over 1,00,000 informational leaflets, public address announcements, banners, and bus-station outreach desks.

Tamil Nadu will also operate a 24-hour call centre, distribute reflective safety bands to walking pilgrims, and station dedicated medical teams and health camps along the border.