HC gives guidelines for smooth running of Sabarimala

KOCHI: The High Court instructed the police and the Devaswom Board that the rush at Sabarimala roads must be reduced and provide devotees smooth darshan of Lord Ayyappan. Those who have not registered with virtual queue must be controlled from going to the temple.

The division bench heard explanation given by the Devaswom Board that this year 19 lakh devotees, who did not register with virtual darshan, were allowed to go for darshan. This prompted the court to give the verdict.

The daily darshan time is 19 hours. The virtual queue is handling 90,000 devotees per day. Yesterday, 84,700 devotees booked through virtual queue. The Devaswom said that it will provide tea and biscuits to devotees from Sabari peedom to Sanidanam.

Separate queues will be provided to children, women, elderly, and differently abled people.

The Water Authority at Nilackel must take necessary steps to make water distribution smooth. For this the number of water tankers will be increased from 10 to 16.

The issue of devotees being cramped in buses will be investigated.