Police book shopkeeper, staff on charge of blocking traffic in Kumily town

The Kumily police on Tuesday registered a case against a shopkeeper in Kumily for allegedly causing traffic disruption on the Kottarakkara-Dindigul National Highway on Tuesday (November 25, 2025).

Kumily Circle Inspector Abhilash Kumar said that traffic management is challenging during the pilgrimage season and there is no dedicated parking space for vehicles. “Many pilgrims buy banana chips and other items in Kumily town after visiting the temple. Some shopkeepers block the road by approaching the vehicles and canvassing the pilgrims to sell their products, leading to accidents and significant traffic delays,” he said.

The police have booked Sakkir Ali, 57, owner of a spices shop, and his employee Muhammed Sainudheen, after they reportedly caught Muhammed red-handed while he was trying to stop vehicles.

“The police will take strict action against shopkeepers or their employees if they continue to block vehicles or canvass pilgrims by obstructing traffic,” said the official.

Recently, the panchayat and the police requested the Forest department to allow the use of Anavachal parking ground for parking pilgrims’ vehicles during the season. But the department denied permission. “What now happens is that people park their vehicles on the road, leading to traffic block,” said the official.

Kumily town is the major interstate route for Sabarimala pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh use the Kumily-Mundakkayam-Erumeli-Pampa route to reach the hill temple.