Kerala HC Slams TDB Over Poor Crowd Management at Sabarimala Pilgrimage
The Kerala High Court has reprimanded the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) over inadequate crowd management during the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The court questioned why preparations for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, one of the peak pilgrimage periods, were not initiated at least six months in advance, highlighting serious lapses in planning.
The High Court directed TDB to implement scientific and systematic crowd management measures to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees. This includes better coordination with police, installation of surveillance systems, structured queue arrangements, and proper facilities to handle large gatherings efficiently.
Officials acknowledged the challenges posed by the massive influx of pilgrims but were urged by the court to adopt modern methods of crowd control and emergency preparedness. The ruling emphasizes the need for proactive planning and accountability, ensuring that spiritual events like the Sabarimala pilgrimage can be conducted smoothly and safely for the tens of thousands of devotees who attend each year.
