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Pathanamthitta, Nov 18 (IANS) The two-month-long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala has got off to a turbulent start, with concerns rising over mismanagement of crowds, breakdown of infrastructure and inadequate administrative preparedness.
It was decided to extend the forenoon session by two hours to control the huge crowd of pilgrims on Tuesday.
Despite assurances by officials of well-coordinated arrangements, ground reports and disturbing scenes tell a contrasting tale of long waits, water shortages and exhausted pilgrims falling into queues.
More than one lakh pilgrims have been visiting the temple since it opened for pilgrims on Monday, far exceeding the daily 90,000 darshan limit set under the virtual queue and spot booking system.
Pilgrims have been forced to wait for 10 to 15 hours to reach the sanctum sanctorum, as the flow down the 18 sacred stairs has slowed considerably.
To control the crowd, at least 90 pilgrims are supposed to cross the stairs every minute, but the current rate has fallen to almost half, resulting in serpentine queues stretching all the way to the covered walkway from Sannidhanam.
Newly appointed Travancore Devaswom Board Chairman K. Jayakumar admitted that the arrangements were not adequate, adding that the crowd was unusually large even on regular days like the second day of Vrischikam.
He highlighted the lack of drinking water, poorly maintained bio-toilets and inadequate food supplies, and said that the Devaswom mess facilities were struggling due to logistical lapses.
Pilgrims, including children and elderly women, have fainted after standing for hours in the crowded corridors without water or shade.
The absence of central forces like NDRF and RAF, traditionally deployed for crowd control, has made the limited police presence more stressful.
Although more than 18,000 police personnel have been allocated for the season, only about 3,500 have been deployed in Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal.
The transit hub at Nilakkal has also seen breakdown in crowd management systems, with lack of barricades and inadequate KSRTC shuttles leading to scuffles and confusion.
Reports warn that the current situation is reminiscent of the crisis seen in 2023, raising fears that many Ayyappa devotees may be forced to abandon their pilgrimage if corrective measures are not immediately implemented.
Since the number of tourists is expected to increase rapidly during weekends and busy festival days, the worrying situation requires immediate intervention and a comprehensive review of pilgrimage management strategies.
–IANS
SG/DPB