'Won't allow pilgrims to suffocate and die', lack of coordination is issue in Sabarimala, says High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has lashed out at the Travancore Devaswom Board for not making proper arrangements for the Mandalam Makaravilakku pilgrimage in Sabarimala. The court directed that scientific methods must be used to control the heavy rush. The bench comprising Justice A Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar also asked why preparations for the pilgrimage had not begun at least six months in advance.

Apart from crowd management, the court also noted serious shortcomings in the availability of toilet facilities in Sabarimala. “The area from Nilakkal to the Sannidhanam, including the sacred 18 steps, should be divided into five or six zones. The authorities must decide how many people can be accommodated in each zone at a time. A team of experts should be formed for this. T