Round-the-clock vigil at Sabarimala as crowd eases after initial rush

Even as the initial rush at the Sabarimala temple has begun to ease, the police have enhanced real-time monitoring of pilgrims within the pilgrimage zone. For this, the police and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) have put in place a security network comprising nearly 450 CCTV cameras at all major points across the area.

Officials said the entire network is coordinated through specially equipped control rooms run jointly by the police and the TDB. “From these control rooms, every corner of Sabarimala is closely watched, day and night, without a moment’s pause. If there is an emergency or a sudden rise in crowd flow, the system helps us respond instantly,” an official explained.

As part of the police arrangements, around 90 cameras have been positioned along the key stretches from Chalakayam to Pandithavalam. The TDB, on its part, has added another 345 cameras, focussing on the pilgrimage path and major resting points.

These cameras together cover almost every critical spot such as Marakkoottam, Nadapandal, Sopanam, the flyover, Malikappuram, and Pandithavalam, the official said. The system helps them manage crowds with ease, prevent violations, and rush to the aid of pilgrims whenever needed, they added.

The pilgrimage zone, which witnesses the movement of several lakhs of devotees during the annual pilgrimage season, often witnesses instances of pickpocketing and also serves as a safe heaven for criminals from Kerala and neighbouring States. In view of this, the police have made verification of temporary workers stepping into the Sannidhanam mandatory.

Every year, more than 7,000 workers including around 2,000 from other States arrive at Sabarimala to take up temporary jobs in catering sector, shops, cleaning units, and dolly services.

Spot booking limited

Considering the increasing rush of devotees arriving for Sabarimala darshan, the number of spot bookings for darshan on Tuesday has been limited to 5,000. At he same time, 70,000 devotees will be able to avail the opportunity for darshan through the virtual queue booking system, said the authorities.