Sabarimala pilgrimage season must be free of complaints: Muraleedharan

Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan has directed that this year’s Sabarimala pilgrimage season must be free of complaints and that previous year’s lapses should not be repeated.

Speaking at the Sabarimala pilgrimage review meeting here on Thursday, he said advance planning and preparations are needed and there should be no shortcomings in providing facilities for Ayyappa devotees.

He suggested that all preparations be started well ahead of time and that the police pay special attention to crowd control measures so that the excessive rush of pilgrims as was seen during the first week of last year’s pilgrimage season is better managed.

During the last pilgrimage season, overcrowding had led to a situation wherein many pilgrims had to end their journey at Pandalam, Mr. Muraleedharan pointed out.

He said that even though the Travancore Dewaswom Board is responsible for the conduct of Sabarimala pilgrimage, the government has a huge responsibility in ensuring that the season goes off smoothly, without complaints or mishaps.

He said that all planning should be done assuming that there would be more devotees this year during the pilgrimage season. He added that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan would be convening a high-level meeting soon to review the preparations.

All road repair works should be completed before the start of the pilgrimage. Transport Minister C.P. John has promised to ensure that adequate bus services are available

Steps must be taken to help out pilgrims who arrive after in large buses and find that they have to get down at Nilakcal. The police and the devaswom board should consult and take a final decision on allowing such vehicles to proceed directly to Pamba.

The Minister said that any shortage of staff at government health centres in the pilgrimage areas should be reported so that urgent action can be taken.

Travancore Dewaswom Board president, K. Jayakumar, Pathanamthitta Collector A. Nizamuddeen, Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police R. Anand, Anto Antony, MP, and several MLAs were present.