The Kerala High Court examined the report submitted by the Additional Director General of Police and Chief Coordinator for Sabarimala regarding the crowd-management arrangements for the ongoing Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. After reviewing the report, the Court noted that the plan appeared satisfactory, comprehensive, and carefully structured to address the challenges associated with the heavy influx of devotees during this period. The Court directed that all proposed precautionary measures be implemented strictly and without deviation, ensuring that safety protocols remain fully operational throughout the season.
The report presented to the Court outlined a series of measures aimed at effective crowd regulation at Sabarimala, particularly at sensitive points such as Sannidhanam, Pamba, and surrounding transit areas. These measures included the deployment of adequate security personnel, enhanced surveillance systems, improved access-control mechanisms, and coordinated efforts between the police, the administrative board, and other agencies involved in managing the pilgrimage. The Court stressed the importance of seamless coordination among all responsible authorities to avoid lapses that could lead to overcrowding, delays, or safety risks.
The Court recalled that it had earlier imposed specific restrictions on the number of pilgrims permitted each day, in response to alarming instances of overcrowding during the initial days of the season. These restrictions limited spot bookings to 5,000 pilgrims per day and regulated virtual-queue bookings to ensure that the total number of pilgrims remained within the carrying capacity of the infrastructure at Sabarimala. The Court had insisted that only those with valid, date-specific and time-specific booking passes be permitted entry and that any pilgrim holding a fake, mismatched, or invalid pass must be denied access.
In previous hearings, the Court had expressed concern over the strain placed on essential infrastructure—such as drinking-water facilities, sanitation units, resting areas, medical centres, and emergency-evacuation pathways—when the number of pilgrims exceeded the prescribed limits. It emphasised that overcrowding created the risk of severe disruption to services and could result in dangerous conditions, including the possibility of stampede-like situations. The booking-slot restrictions were therefore designed to maintain order and protect the wellbeing of devotees.
The High Court noted that earlier this season there had been significant surges in pilgrim arrivals, with numbers far surpassing the regulated limits and causing bottlenecks in queue management. Reports from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner had highlighted the urgency of enforcing strict crowd-control measures, prompting the Court to issue revised caps and enhanced regulatory directions. These directives required that pilgrimage entry points operate in a strictly controlled manner, with rigorous verification of booking passes and identity checks before allowing devotees to proceed.
In assessing the latest report, the Court observed that the proposed strategies addressed both the logistical and safety concerns raised in previous hearings. The plan detailed the number of personnel to be deployed, the positioning of surveillance systems, the steps for managing crowd flow through queue complexes, and the emergency responses prepared for any unexpected surge. The Court reiterated that the authorities must remain vigilant and must ensure immediate corrective action if crowd density increases beyond safe levels at any point during the pilgrimage.
The Court directed the Chief Coordinator to ensure constant liaison between all departments involved in Sabarimala arrangements, including the police, the Travancore Devaswom Board, medical teams, and local administrative units. It also highlighted the need for unified command and quick-response mechanisms to prevent delays in decision-making during critical moments. The Court made it clear that strict compliance with the safety protocols, booking restrictions, and access-control measures was essential for the smooth conduct of the festival season.
The proceedings form part of a larger suo motu exercise undertaken by the High Court to oversee Sabarimala arrangements, prompted by earlier reports of dangerous crowding during the pilgrimage. The Court observed that it would continue to monitor the situation closely and directed that the matter be posted for further consideration on a later date, allowing it to review the ongoing implementation of the strategies and ensure full adherence to the prescribed guidelines for crowd management during the Mandala–Makaravilakku season.
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