Kerala will expand police coordination, crowd guidance, CCTV coverage and parking capacity ahead of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, with officials directing that preparations be completed before devotees arrive.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala chaired a review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to assess police preparations. Authorities plan awareness campaigns encouraging pilgrims to use the virtual queue system, while the State Police Chief will brief counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
Information for devotees is to be distributed in regional languages, with signboards and public-address systems at key locations. Police have been instructed to maintain a friendly and empathetic approach. The Rapid Action Force and Fire and Rescue Force will be available for emergencies, and mock drills will test fire hydrants along important routes, including Marakkoottam.
Security and police services at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal are to be coordinated, with stronger CCTV surveillance linked to the police control room. Officials also discussed special protection for Kunnar Dam, the Pandithavalam water tank, LPG storage and fireworks storage sites.
At Nilakkal and Chakkupallam, parking arrangements will be streamlined. Soil is to be cleared at Chakkupallam to create space for an additional 400 to 500 vehicles. Police and the Motor Vehicles Department will check the fitness and speed of vehicles transporting pilgrims.
Commercial workers at Sannidhanam and Pampa will undergo police verification and must carry identification while on duty. Disposal of clothes in the Pampa river will be prohibited. Police camps and toilets are to be repaired before November 1, with officials also directed to provide personnel with hygienic accommodation, quality food and drinking water.