Keralam govt. looks to emulate Tirupati model to manage pilgrim rush at Sabarimala

With crowd management at the centre of its preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the Keralam government plans to introduce facilities on the lines of the Tirupati model to regulate pilgrim flow and ease congestion at the hill temple.

Reviewing preparations for the annual pilgrimage season at Pampa on Saturday (October 17, 2026), Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said steps would be initiated after the current season to improve crowd management and facilities at the temple. To ease congestion at Pampa, a German-style shed with a capacity to accommodate 6,000 people will be set up at Nilackal to regulate the flow of pilgrims. AI-enabled parking management systems will be introduced at 21 locations, with additional parking space to be arranged if required.

Connectivity

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will deploy 461 buses for pilgrims, while temple connectivity will be improved by linking Sabarimala with other temples. The Motor Vehicles department will intensify inspections to strengthen road safety.

Police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel will be deployed under the leadership of their respective chiefs to ensure pilgrims’ safety and facilitate smooth darshan. As many as 22 medical emergency units will be made operational, and hospitals will be equipped with adequate facilities to provide quality medical care.

The Public Works department is renovating the Chalakkayam road at a cost of ₹15 crore, and the work will be completed at the earliest, the Chief Minister said.

Discarding clothes

The government will also take steps to prevent pilgrims from discarding their clothes in the Pampa, a practice that has contributed to the growing waste problem in the river. “This is one of the biggest problems facing the Pampa river of late. Steps will be taken to curb this menace,” Mr. Satheesan said. Waste disposal will be carried out within a stipulated timeframe.

The review meeting brought together various departments to assess preparations and address operational challenges ahead of the pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has assured the government that there will be no shortage of Appam and Aravana, the two key offerings at Sabarimala, this season.

Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan and TDB president K. Jayakumar were among those who attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Satheesan visited the Nilackal guest house, KSRTC bus stand and police barracks to inspect the arrangements on the ground.