Despite efforts by the police and devaswom authorities, the situation at Sabarimala hill shrine remained chaotic as huge crowds of pilgrims breached the queues and caused uncontrollable rush near the holy steps. Inexperienced police and the reduced virtual queue booking limit of 80,000 contributed to the problem.
To address the situation, additional police teams were deployed and the devaswom minister directed authorities to expedite the queue, provide more medical facilities, and arrange ambulances. A special rescue ambulance was also deployed at Sannidhanam, with the permission of the high court, to support emergency medical needs.
We are aware of the challenges and are working tirelessly to manage the crowd, said a police official. The increased deployment of police forces and the allocation of additional medical resources will ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.
The overcrowding and long queues have been a persistent issue at the Sabarimala temple during peak pilgrimage seasons. In an effort to maintain order and manage the influx of devotees, the authorities had introduced a virtual queue system where pilgrims could book their time slots online. However, the recent reduction in the booking limit from 100,000 to 80,000 seemed to exacerbate the situation, as the number of pilgrims exceeded the capacity.
The reduced virtual queue limit was implemented to ensure better crowd management and avoid congestion on the temple premises, explained a devaswom official. Unfortunately, it had an unintended consequence of longer waiting times and increased chaos.
Devotees who had been standing in queues for over 18 hours expressed their frustration and disappointment. Many complained about the lack of proper crowd control measures and called for improved management strategies.
I have been waiting here for hours, and the situation is getting worse, said a pilgrim. There is hardly any coordination among the authorities, and people are pushing and shoving. It’s a complete mess.
In response to the mounting concerns, the devaswom minister instructed the officials to take immediate action to streamline the queue system and ensure the safety of the devotees. Efforts are also being made to provide adequate medical facilities and facilities to address any emergencies that may arise.
We understand the inconvenience caused to the devotees and regret the inconvenience faced by them, expressed the devaswom minister. We are committed to rectifying the situation and implementing measures to avoid such overcrowding in the future.
The additional police teams have been directed to enforce discipline among the devotees, prevent queue breaches, and assist in smooth crowd flow near the holy steps. Medical personnel have been stationed at various points, equipped to handle any medical emergencies that may arise.
The situation at Sabarimala continues to be closely monitored, and authorities are actively working towards restoring order and ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims are being urged to cooperate with the officials and follow the instructions provided for their own safety and the well-being of fellow devotees.
It is essential for the authorities to quickly address the overcrowding concerns at Sabarimala and implement long-term solutions to prevent such chaotic situations in the future. The devotees deserve a safe and peaceful pilgrimage experience, and concerted efforts must be made to ensure their faith is upheld with the highest regard.
