'Free bus service by VHP cannot be allowed on Nilakkal-Pampa route'; Govt files response affidavit in Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The government has responded to a petition filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the Supreme Court seeking permission to provide free transport facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims from Nilakkal to Pampa. Government demands to dismiss the petition. The government claims that KSRTC has the right to operate bus services on the Nilakkal to Pampa route.

Supreme Court heard the petition filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in January this year. Following this, the court sent a notice to the opposite parties, the Govt. of Kerala and KSRTC. Yesterday, the government filed a reply affidavit clarifying its position while the matter is to be considered again today.

This is the route owned by KSRTC. Many buses reach here from 97 depots during the season to provide complete facilities to the pilgrims. Moreover, the government also stated that the important reason for not allowing other vehicles from the base camp is to avoid problems like traffic jams in this area.

In the petition of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, it has been said that 20 buses should be hired and the devotees should be allowed to travel for free. There is no scheme in the state to provide such a service. If allowed in this manner, it would violate existing permit regulations. In this situation, the government wants to reject the petition completely. The petition of Vishwa Hindu Parishad had said that the number of buses on the route is less and devotees are crowding each bus. However, the government has said in its reply that all these allegations are baseless.